this was not an intentional thing. i have no desire to ever take anyone's life. >> reporter: in this video, watched by millions you can see the final run of eric harris. tulsa's share itch deputies running an undercover operation tried to arrest harris for selling them a gun but he takes off. you can hear bates yell. >> now! now! >> oh i shot him. i'm sorry. >> reporter: the mixup is something the 73-year-old part-time deputy an insurance executive tried explaining during his "today" show interview. >> my tase sir right here. on the front tucked in a protective vest. my gun itself is on my side. normally to the rear. >> reporter: over the years, bates has had a close relationship with the sheriff's office donating five cars and equipment and money to the sheriff's re-election campaign. now there are explosive allegations being reported by the tulsa world newspaper.