Hate crime charge for man who allegedly shot two strangers because they were white.

Homeless Man Charged with Racially Motivated Hate Crime in Tulsa

A shocking incident occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma, last month when a homeless man, Carlton Gilford, allegedly shot two white men in the back of the head in what appeared to be execution-style slayings. The Tulsa Police Department reported that Lundin Hathcock, 35, was shot at the Rudisill Library, and James McDaniel, 55, was shot at a QuikTrip convenience store.

A Racially Motivated Hate Crime

Authorities are calling it a racially motivated hate crime, and Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said that evidence suggests Gilford shot both men because they were white. Gilford has been charged with a hate crime for his alleged killings.

“The allegation in this charge is that race or color played a role in these shootings,” Kunzweiler told Newsweek. “Based upon the investigation, we have reason to believe that race played a role in the homicides. That evidence will be presented in front of a judge or jury. Mr. Gilford has the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a judge or jury.”

The Gruesome Details

The suspect allegedly walked up behind Hathcock while he was sitting at a desk and shot him in the back of the head. Hathcock was rushed to a hospital where he later died. Gilford then allegedly went to the nearby convenience store and shot McDaniel in the same manner before firing another shot at him after he fell to the ground. McDaniel died at the scene.

Authorities said that surveillance footage from the QuikTrip store showed Gilford firing at a security guard and another person outside the store. The suspected murderer was detained when officers arrived on the scene and he allegedly admitted to killing the two strangers.

Charges and Court Appearance

Gilford was charged with two counts of shooting with intent to kill and one count of malicious intimidation or harassment, which is Oklahoma’s version of a hate crime. The suspected murderer is being held without bond and is expected to appear in court on June 23.

The investigation into the two deadly shootings is ongoing at this time, and detectives are still working to learn a motive. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

• Homeless man Carlton Gilford charged with racially motivated hate crime in Tulsa
• Allegedly shot two white men in the back of the head in execution-style slayings
• Charged with two counts of shooting with intent to kill and one count of malicious intimidation or harassment
• Expected to appear in court on June 23