A suspect has been charged with two hate crimes after allegedly shooting two men in the back of the head in separate incidents. The victims were targeted because of their race or religion, according to authorities.
The first shooting occurred on April 18, 2023, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Carlton Gilford, a Black man who is homeless, entered the Rudisill Library and shot Lundin Hathcock, a White man who was sitting at a desk. Hathcock died at the hospital.
The second shooting happened on February 16, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. Jaime Tran, an Asian man who lived in Riverside County, shot a Jewish man who was leaving a synagogue in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood. The victim survived and was taken to the hospital.
Both suspects were arrested shortly after the shootings. Gilford was found outside a QuikTrip convenience store, where he also fired shots at a security guard and another person. Tran was located by his license plate number, which was recorded near the scene of the shooting.
Gilford and Tran were both charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of shooting with intent to kill. They also faced one count of malicious intimidation or harassment, which is Oklahoma’s and California’s version of a hate crime.
According to Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler, the evidence suggests that Gilford shot both men because they were White. He said that race played a role in the shootings and that he would present that information in court.
According to US Attorney Martin Estrada, Tran targeted the victims because they were Jewish or he believed them to be Jewish. He said that Tran was motivated by hate and that he would face up to life in prison if convicted.
The shootings sparked outrage and condemnation from various groups and leaders. The Anti-Defamation League called the shootings “horrific” and “senseless” acts of violence. The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles expressed solidarity with the victims and their families.
The Tulsa Police Department said that the shootings were “tragic” and “unacceptable”. The Los Angeles Police Department said that the shootings were “cowardly” and “despicable”. Both departments vowed to work with federal authorities to bring justice to the victims.