Safety first: How Tulsa runners are responding to recent attack

Tulsa’s running community is shaken after a stabbing attack on a woman at Turkey Mountain.

Tulsa Police arrested Jesse Brown, who is accused of stabbing a 25-year-old woman in the face while she was walking back to her car Thursday morning. Brown is being held without bond.

Related: Turkey Mountain stabbing suspect in custody

The attack has sparked widespread concern about safety on Tulsa trails, especially among those who hike or run alone. For many runners, what happened at Turkey Mountain is their worst fear.

But for one Tulsa woman, that fear became a reality four years ago. She was assaulted on a trail in the middle of the day, and ever since, she’s made it her mission to run smarter, not scared.

Running trails have always been a place to reset for Alex Veenker.

“I love the trails out here; they’re so beautiful. It’s a great asset for anyone that wants to be active and get outside,” she said.

But back in 2021, she says she was assaulted on Riverside Trail. That’s when her mindset shifted.

“Thankfully, I had my dog with me, and my dog attacked the guy and got him to let go of me,” Veenker said.

Now, her solo runs come with added caution.

“It was a matter of what can I do to make myself feel more comfortable, and I wasn’t going to allow someone who did something of their choice to dictate what I do for the rest of my life,” she said. “So, making sure that I am aware of my surroundings and doing what I need to do to protect myself.”

When she heard about the stabbing at Turkey Mountain, she was angry.

“It really upset me.”

It upset Kia Sweathomas, too. She understands the frustration, both as a runner and a law enforcement officer.

“Just anger and disappointment that someone took advantage of a park that thousands of people enjoy every month and decided to make it the stage of their crime,” she said.

Sweathomas helped revamp the trail system at Turkey Mountain to make it easier to navigate and respond to emergencies.

But even with these updates in place, she says preparation is key, especially when running alone.

“I always say, if you choose to run armed, be sure that whatever weapon of choice you have—whether it be a knife, pepper spray, or a firearm—you are doing so legally in the area you’re in, and you’re able to safely maintain and operate that weapon in case of an emergency,” Sweathomas said. “Any weapon you carry on you can be used against you as well.”

For both women, the message is clear: don’t give up the trail, but don’t ignore the risks.

Both women say that whether it’s running with a friend or just staying aware of your surroundings, those two changes can make all the difference.