Tulsa Homeowner Shoots Burglar Who Later Fought Officers and K9

A home break-in in Tulsa, Oklahoma, escalated into a shooting and a violent altercation with law enforcement in the early hours of June 1. A suspected burglar was shot by a homeowner before fleeing, only to clash violently with arresting officers and a police K9 nearby.

Overnight Home Invasion and Shooting

According to the Tulsa Police Department, officers were dispatched around midnight following a shots-fired call near the intersection of 22nd Place and Mingo Road. The homeowner reported that an unknown man had forced his way into the residence. During the break-in, the woman’s boyfriend confronted the intruder and shot him. The suspect managed to flee the property before police arrived. Officers immediately began searching the neighborhood but could not locate the wounded suspect at the scene.

Violent Arrest and Confrontation with Police

Shortly after the initial search, police located the suspect, identified as 47-year-old Alvin Basham, walking along 21st Street. Basham had sustained a gunshot wound to his chest. Despite his life-threatening injury, Basham was immediately confrontational with the responding officers. He ignored verbal commands, repeatedly reached toward his waistband, and dared officers to shoot him.

In an effort to gain compliance without using lethal force, officers deployed pepper balls. When Basham continued to resist, a K9 unit was released. Investigators stated that Basham grabbed the police dog and began punching it in the head. Officers then moved in to physically restrain him. During the ensuing struggle, Basham bit one officer, spit on a second, and scratched a third. Basham was eventually subdued and transported to a local hospital for treatment of his chest wound and injuries sustained during the arrest. The officer who was bitten was also hospitalized for medical care and is expected to recover.

Pending Criminal Charges

Tulsa police confirmed that Basham remains hospitalized under guard. Upon his release from medical care, he will be booked into the Tulsa County Jail. He faces multiple serious complaints, including:

• First-degree burglary
• Assault and battery on a police officer
• Resisting arrest

Home Defense and Personal Safety Guidelines

Faced with an active home invasion, homeowners must prioritize family safety and understand legal and practical aspects of self-defense. Security professionals suggest the following precautions:

• Create a Home Escape and Safety Plan: Ensure all family members know how to retreat to a secure room, lock the door, and call 911 immediately.
• Reinforce Doors and Windows: Install heavy-duty strike plates with 3-inch screws and utilize security glass or security film on ground-floor entryways to slow down forced entry.
• Maintain External Lighting: Keep exterior areas well-lit with motion-activated floodlights, reducing blind spots where intruders can hide.
• Understand Self-Defense Laws: Homeowners should familiarize themselves with local laws regarding self-defense and the use of force within a dwelling.
• Stay on the Line with Dispatch: If a confrontation occurs, keep the 911 dispatcher on the line to provide real-time updates to responding officers and ensure emergency services are on the way.

Sources: News On 6