Charges expected in Oklahoma workplace beheading
MOORE, Okla. - Police say charges are expected in the beheading of a woman at a food distribution center in an Oklahoma City suburb.
Moore police Sgt. Jeremy Lewis says murder and other charges against 30-year-old Alton Nolen will be presented to the district attorney for filing Monday.
Nolen is suspected of beheading one woman - 54-year-old Colleen Hufford - and attacking another - 43-year-old Traci Johnson - shortly after being fired Thursday. Police say reserve sheriff's deputy Mark Vaughan, the company's chief operating officer, ended the attack by shooting Nolen.
Nolen and the second victim in the attack were both hospitalized and are expected to recover.
A hospital spokeswoman said Sunday that she could not comment on Nolen's condition but according to the Associated Press, Nolen had regained consciousness Saturday and had been interviewed by detectives.
Shortly before the attack Thursday at Vaughan Foods, authorities say Nolen was fired from the food processing plant. Police have not specified exactly why Nolen was fired, except to say it was for "numerous reasons" involving "personnel issues."
After the attack, witnesses told authorities Nolen had been trying to convince co-workers to convert to Islam.
Police have asked the FBI to help investigate Nolen because of the nature of the attack, which followed a series of high-profile videotaped beheadings by Islamic State militants in Syria.
In a statement, FBI Special Agent in Charge James E. Finch said the motive for the attack had not been determined, but that there is no reason to believe there was a threat to anyone else.
According to Oklahoma Department of Corrections records, Nolen served time in prison and is on probation for assault and battery of a police officer. He also was convicted of cocaine possession with the intent to distribute in 2011.
The records show that Nolen has what appear to be religious tattoos, including one referencing Jesus and one in Arabic that means "peace be with you."