Black man charged with hate crime for allegedly shooting 2 strangers execution style, because they were white

A black man in Tulsa, Oklahoma allegedly shot and killed two white men in an apparent execution-style murder last month and law enforcement authorities say that it was a racially motivated hate crime.

The shooter, Carlton Gilford, a homeless person, or an undomiciled individual, shot two in the back of the head at two different locations on April 18th, the Tulsa PD reported to Fox News.

The victim Lundin Hathcock, 35, was shot around 9:40 a.m. at the Rudisill Library, and the other man killed was James McDaniel, 55, was shot at a QuikTrip convenience store. 

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said that he believes the evidence suggests the homeless man shot both men because they were white, and he 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 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.

It is believed the gun that Gilford used was obtained illegally.

Authorities said that surveillance footage from the QuikTrip store showed Gilford firing at a security guard and another person outside the store. The suspect was detained after officers arrived at the scene and the shooter allegedly admitted to killing the two white men, who he did not know personally.

“The investigation into the two deadly shootings is ongoing at this time and Detectives are still working to learn a motive,” the Tulsa Police Department said in a statement.

Gilford was charged with two counts of shooting with intent to kill, and one count of malicious intimidation or harassment, a hate crime by Oklahoma standards. The suspect is being held without bond and is scheduled for court on June 23rd. 

It is not known whether any progressives such as Vice President Kamala Harris, are attempting to elicit GoFundMe donations to secure his release.

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