Man Accused of Beheading Co-Worker Is Charged With Murder; May Face Death Penalty

Charges were filed against Oklahoma beheading suspect Alton Nolen on Tuesday, the Smoking Gun reports.

The 30-year-old man, who was recently fired from his job at a food plant in Moore, Okla., was charged with murder and assault after he allegedly attacked two female co-workers with a knife, resulting in one being beheaded, on Sept. 25.

According to the Smoking Gun, prosecutors are likely to seek the death penalty against Nolen, who, after being “suspended due to a complaint at the business,” left “for the sole reason to retrieve a large bladed knife,” which was used to carry out the attack, a court affidavit read.

Nolen returned to the plant office, where he encountered 54-year-old Colleen Hufford. According to court documents, he attacked Hufford “from behind and immediately began cutting her across the throat with the large knife, with a back-and-forth sawing motion,” severing her head.

Nolen then allegedly attacked 43-year-old Traci Johnson and also “cut her across the throat and left side of her face” before he was shot by one of the food plant’s executives, who is also an Oklahoma County reserve officer.

Nolen reportedly admitted to his alleged crimes and is currently hospitalized for the gunshot wounds.

Read more at the Smoking Gun.