A black man has been charged with shooting two white men in the back of the head in what authorities are describing as a racially motivated hate crime in Oklahoma.
Carlton Gilford, who is homeless, allegedly shot Lundin Hathcock, 35, and James McDaniel, 55, in two separate shootings on April 18, according to Tulsa police.
He allegedly killed Hathcock at about 9:40 a.m. in the Rudisill library. He allegedly walked up behind Hathcock, who was sitting at a desk, and shot him.
Soon after, he reportedly went to a nearby QuikTrip supermarket and shot McDaniel. After he fell to the ground, Gilford shot him again.
Hathcock, was rushed to hospital where he died with McDaniel dying at the scene.
Surveillance footage also shows Gilford shooting at another person and a security guard at QuikTrip, it said Fox news.
When police arrived, the homeless man admitted to shooting Hathcock and McDaniel.
Carlton Gilford (pictured), who is homeless, shot Lundin Hathcock, 35, and James McDaniel, 55, in two separate shootings on April 18
When police arrived, the homeless man admitted to shooting Hathcock and McDaniel. He was arrested on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of shooting with intent to kill, and one count of willful harassment or harassment
Lundin Hathcock is seen on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance
Police arrived shortly after the shooting broke out
A fleet of patrol cars can be seen at the scene of the shooting
Gilford was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of shooting with intent to kill, and one count of malicious harassment or harassment.
The latest charge is Oklahoma’s version of a hate crime. Under Oklahoma law, there is no specific statute for hate crimes, but malicious harassment or harassment also includes targeting someone based on their race.
His charge of malicious harassment is considered a hate crime in Oklahoma and, according to Fox News, means the victims were targeted based on their race.
Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said the evidence supported the two men being targeted on the basis of race, but did not tell Fox News why she thought so.
He is said to have killed Hathcock (pictured left) at Rudisill Library around 9:40 am. He allegedly walked up behind Hathcock, who was sitting at a desk, and shot him. Soon after, he reportedly went to a nearby QuikTrip supermarket and shot McDaniel (pictured right). After he fell to the ground, Gilford shot him again. He died on the spot
Lundin Hathcock’s family is seen at his bedside after the shooting
Facebook Post from Lundin Hathcock’s family. Hathcock was shot dead in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Tulsa Police Department charged Carlton Gilford with the shooting. Gilford is also accused of shooting another man, James McDaniel
Hathcock’s family huddles in the hospital after their loved one dies
“The information suggests that race played a role,” Kunzweiler said KOTV. “I feel like that’s something we can prove, and it’s something a judge or jury should of course listen to. So we will present that information along with everything else.”
“Whenever you talk about the dynamic where the safety of the public is at risk, in my mind, someone killing someone or harming someone they don’t know, that really amplifies things,” Kunzweiler said.