James Harold Kinnard, a 59-year-old Black man, was tragically shot and killed on March 3, 2022, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was at a residence near East 56th Street North and Peoria Avenue, engaged in a construction project with his son, when the fatal encounter occurred.
An argument broke out between Kinnard and another man, identified as 36-year-old Ollie Harris, Jr. Following the dispute, Kinnard went inside the house and closed the door.
Harris then attempted to force his way into the home and, failing that, fired a gun through the door. The bullet struck Kinnard in the chest, causing his death. The entire traumatic event was witnessed by Kinnard's son, who then ran to the nearby Tulsa Dream Center to call for help.
Following the shooting, a warrant was issued for Ollie Harris, and he was later apprehended. In the subsequent legal proceedings, a Tulsa County jury found Ollie Harris, Jr. guilty of first-degree felony murder. Testimony during the trial included the harrowing account of Kinnard's son, who recounted witnessing his father's death. The jury recommended a life sentence with the possibility of parole for Harris. His formal sentencing was scheduled for September 26, 2023.
Kinnard's family, including his wife Angelic Titsworth-Kinnard and his daughter Niesha Kinnard Taylor, have publicly expressed their profound grief. They described him as a dedicated family man who worked tirelessly to provide for his eleven children. The community showed its support for the grieving family by establishing a fund to assist with funeral expenses.
