On April 18, 2023, 55-year-old James McDaniel was fatally shot at a QuikTrip at Pine and Peoria in Tulsa. According to reports, he was approached from behind at the ATM and shot in the head in what has been described as an unprovoked attack. McDaniel’s killing was the second in a short spree that day; an earlier shooting at the nearby Rudisill Library left another man, Lundin Hathcock, dead.

Surveillance footage from both locations was used to identify the suspect as Carlton Gilford. Video reportedly shows Gilford walking up behind Hathcock and shooting him, then minutes later shooting McDaniel at the QuikTrip. An eyewitness at the store said they had spoken to Gilford moments before the shooting. Officers at the scene say a man matching the shooter’s description was found outside the QuikTrip and reportedly admitted involvement and indicated he had a gun.

Investigators characterized the attacks as racially motivated, and the suspect was charged with murder and a hate crime among other counts. Does anyone have information about McDaniel’s life in Tulsa or who might have known him?