Sand Prings, OK - Sand Springs Police Department released video from a fatal officer-involved shooting that took place earlier this month. Robert Desjarlais Jr., 49, was shot and killed following a pursuit southwest of Prattville. Sand Springs Police said Lt. Kevin O'Keefe was pursuing Desjarlais Jr., and when the pursuit ended near 145th West Avenue and 61st Street South, the officer fatally shot and killed the suspect.
Sand Springs said this is the first officer-involved shooting they've had in nearly four years, and the video could be disturbing to watch.
In the video, you can see Desjarlais Jr. run into Lt. O'Keefe, pinning him between his door and the car. Lt. O'Keefe commands Desjarlais Jr. to stop four times, but the Sand Springs man kept going - nearly running the officer over.
Chief Carter said they withheld the video until Monday, September 9 at the request of Desjarlais Jr.'s family. The family requested the video not be released until after his funeral.
The original pursuit started just after 8 p.m. on Sunday, September 1 because Lt. O'Keefe saw Desjarlais Jr. run over a curb. Desjarlais Jr. took off, leading Lt. O'Keefe on a pursuit for four miles. That's when they hit a dead end road and Desjarlais Jr. turned around, coming at Lt. O'Keefe.
The officer commanded the suspect to stop four times then fired four shots into the vehicle's driver side window, hitting Desjarlais Jr. four times, killing him.
Lt. O'Keefe has 20 years of service and has never before used deadly force, according to SSPD. He was evaluated at a hospital following the incident but was not seriously injured.
He is on paid administrative leave at this time.
Sand Springs Police said the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has now taken over the investigation and will hand their report over to the district attorney when it's complete.
Link to full video:
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