What did Carlton Gilford do? Oklahoma man charged with hate crime over fatal shooting of two white men

Carlton Gilford, 61, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and other charges related to a racially motivated hate crime in Tulsa, Oklahoma. According to police, Gilford fatally shot two white men, Lundin Hathcock and James McDaniel, in the back of the head last month on April 18.

In the first incident, Carlton Gilford walked up behind Hathcock, who was sitting at a desk and shot him in the back of the head. He then went to a nearby QuikTrip convenience store, where he shot McDaniel and after he fell to the ground, Gilford reportedly shot him again, Newsweek reported.

After the fatal shootings, Carlton Gilford was taken into custody and transferred to the Tulsa County Jail, where he is currently being held without the possibility of bail. He is now scheduled to appear in court on June 23. Jail records indicate that Gilford is currently homeless, as per Fox News.

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Carlton Gilford shot Lundin Hathcock and James McDaniel on April 18

On April 18, Carlton Gilford entered the Rudisill Library at 1520 N. Hartford at approximately 9:40 am and shot 35-year-old Lundin Hathcock. The latter was transported to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Later that same day, Carlton Gilford went to QuikTrip and reportedly shot 55-year-old James McDaniel. Gilford then proceeded to shoot him again after the second victim fell to the ground, resulting in his death at the scene. The Tulsa Police Department has described these shootings as unprovoked and tragic acts of violence.

Surveillance footage proved that Carlton Gilford also fired shots at a security guard and another individual outside the QuikTrip outlet. However, when officers arrived at the scene, Gilford was found standing outside the store and he admitted to shooting two people.

After the initial charges were filed, prosecutors decided to add hate crime charges to the case. According to Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler, there is evidence that suggests Gilford, who is African American, targeted and fatally shot the two men solely because they were white.

In an interview with KOTV-DT, a local CBS affiliate in Oklahoma, Kunzweiler said:

"The information suggests that race played a role in it. I feel like that is something we can prove, and it is something that a judge or jury obviously needs to listen to. So, we will present that information along with everything else."

Kunzweiler also maintained that the reason behind detaining Carlton Gilford was keeping in mind the safety of the public.

He continued:

"Whenever you are talking about the dynamic where the safety of the public is at risk, in my mind, somebody who is killing somebody or doing harm toward somebody who they don't know, that really amps things up."

As per KKTV, Carlton Gilford faces two counts of shooting with intent to kill, two counts of first-degree murder, and one count of malicious intimidation or harassment. KJRH, Oklahoma reported that while there is no specific hate crime law, the state considers malicious intimidation or harassment as a hate crime when one targets someone based on their race.

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Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt condemns the shooting

Following the killings, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt issued a statement condemning the shootings and calling for unity.

He said:

"Violence and hate have no place in our communities, and we must work together to ensure that all Oklahomans feel safe and secure. I urge everyone to come together in peace and love and stand united against hate and bigotry."

The crime also drew a lot of attention in the local community, with many calling for justice and an end to hate crimes. People also expressed their shock and sadness at the senseless violence.