City of Tulsa settles lawsuit over 2020 police shooting for $375,000

The City of Tulsa has settled a lawsuit filed by a man who was shot by an officer in 2020.

The settlement, for $375,000, ends litigation over an officer firing at Michael Delany, who pulled away from a stop after an officer spotted a gun in his vehicle. Tulsa Police later determined no officer was in danger at the time. The City does not admit fault through the settlement terms.

The shooting happened in March 2020, when Officer Aaron Russell responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle with a man inside at 28th and Pittsburg in Tulsa. Officer Russell spotted a gun, later determined to be an air pistol, in the car. Video of the encounter shows Russell drawing his weapon and firing five shots as the driver pulled away.

Delaney was hit once in the shoulder and arrested on charges that were eventually dropped.

After Tulsa Police reviewed the shooting and determined the officers were not in danger, a grand jury indicted Officer Russell for reckless handling of a firearm. He was arrested, and eventually pleaded no contest, and received an 18-month suspended sentence.