Random Beheadings Deep in America's Heartland – Investigation Pending!

Random Beheadings Deep in America’s Heartland – Investigation Pending!

Summary of eRumor:

Viral emails and reports circling the Web allege that the man suspected of beheading a co-worker at a food processing facility in Moore, Oklahoma, converted to Islam before the alleged attack and tried to convince co-workers to do the same.
 

The Truth:

Authorities are investigating the background of Alton Nolen, the man suspected of beheading a co-worker at Vaughn Foods, but have not released any information about his motive for the crime.

Moore Police Sgt. Jeremy Lewis said in a press conference that Nolen was in the process of being terminated from his job before he attacked and killed Colleen Hufford, 54, and wounded Traci Johnson, 43, with a knife. 

“In interviews with co-workers of Nolan, information was obtained that he recently tried to convert some of his co-workers to the Muslim religion,” Lewis said.

Vaughn Foods CEO Mark Vaughn, a reserve Oklahoma County deputy, stopped the attack on Johnson when he shot and wounded Nolen, Lewis added.

Nolen identified himself as Jah’Keem Yisrael on Facebook. The webpage featured what appeared to be fighters holding weapons, messages about Islam and quotes from the Quran, CNN reports.

The FBI has been called in to investigate any possible ties Nolen has to terrorist groups, the Wall Street Journal reports.

In the meantime, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) urged people to avoid speculation while the investigation is ongoing.

“I urge all citizens to cooperate with law enforcement officials as they work to determine exactly what happened and bring the perpetrator of this ghastly crime to justice,” Cole said. “I am confident they will keep the public fully and appropriately informed as their investigation proceeds. Until they make their findings public, I urge all parties to avoid speculation about the nature and causes of this dreadful event.”

Posted 09/30/14