TULSA — In the first six months of this year, 34 homicides were recorded in Tulsa — 15 more than detectives investigated during the same time last year.
In several cases, police say the victims were unintended targets of shootings. In others, the killers attempted to stage crimes and mislead investigators.
In still others, the "no snitch" culture continues to be a factor.
Sgt. Mike Huff, supervisor of the Tulsa Police Department's Homicide Unit, said the year had a busy start. An additional homicide has occurred in July, bringing the total for the year to 35.
But Huff says a review of the last 12 months of homicides shows that the pace of violent deaths has been steady for some time. Between July 1, 2008, and June 30, police investigated 71 homicides.
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Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
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