In Oklahoma, a black homeless man named Carlton Gilford (Not Carlton Banks from the Fresh Prince of Belair) has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of shooting with intent to kill, and one count of malicious intimidation or harassment after allegedly shooting two white men in the back of the head in what authorities are describing as a racially motivated hate crime. The incident occurred on April 18 when Gilford allegedly shot Lundin Hathcock, 35, in the Rudisill Library and James McDaniel, 55, at a nearby QuikTrip convenience store. 🙄 Surveillance footage also shows Gilford shooting at another person and a security guard at QuikTrip.
Hathcock was rushed to the hospital but died while McDaniel died at the scene. When police arrived, Gilford admitted to shooting both men. According to Fox News, the malicious intimidation charge is considered a hate crime in Oklahoma and means the victims were targeted based on their race. Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said the evidence supported that the two men were targeted based on race, but did not elaborate on why he thought that.
Kunzweiler believes that the evidence is sufficient to prove that race played a role in the incident and will present that information along with everything else. He also emphasized that whenever someone is killing or harming someone they don’t know, it amplifies the risk to public safety. The incident has sparked outrage and concerns over racial tensions in Oklahoma.