Reserve Deputy in Fatal Tulsa Shooting Had ‘No Desire to (Take) Anyone’s Life’

Update:

Tulsa County sheriff’s Reserve Deputy Robert Bates told NBC’s “Today” show Friday that he was completely surprised to see that he had shot Eric Harris instead of Tasering him. He said he thought: “Oh my God, what has happened.” He said he realized what happened after he squeezed the trigger and saw the gun drop. “I have no desire to (take) anyone’s life,” he told “Today” host Matt Lauer.

Original post:

A 73-year-old volunteer deputy who says he mistakenly killed a suspect during a sting operation this month told NBC’s “Today” on Friday that reports that his training records were forged are false.

Tulsa County sheriff’s Reserve Deputy Robert Bates said he did the required training, denying a Tulsa World report this week that some supervisors at the sheriff’s office were told to forge his training records.

“That is absolutely the truth. I have it in writing,” he said when NBC’s Matt Lauer asked him if he had the proper training and certifications.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

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