Pleased that suspects are in custody, Tulsa Police Chief Chuck Jordan told reporters in a Sunday afternoon news conference that he was “sickened” that the crimes may have been motivated by hate.
Five people were shot, three of which died, on Good Friday. Early on Easter morning two people were taken into custody. One of the suspects, 19-year-old Jacob England, lost his father two years ago. An African American was convicted of the shooting death. Police are studying England’s written statements on Facebook, in which he used the "N-word” to describe the man convicted of killing his father. All of the shootings took place within a few miles of the area where his father was killed. England’s Facebook page has since been taken down.
The other suspect, 32-year-old Alan Watts, was apparently friends with England’s father.
Police are still not calling it a “hate crime”. Chief Jordan said more investigation will be done before that determination is made.
