Charles A. Glatt, a 46-year-old white male, was a prominent school desegregation expert and professor at Ohio State University. On September 19, 1975, he was tragically shot to death while working in his office at the Federal Building in Dayton, Ohio. Glatt had been appointed by the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals to formulate a desegregation plan for Dayton's public school system.
The suspect in Glatt's murder was identified as Neal Bradley Long, a 48-year-old white male and service
station attendant with a history of mental illness. Long was charged with first-degree murder and held without bail. He admitted to the shooting, claiming that "God is making me do this". The investigation revealed that Long had also been linked to the shotgun slayings of at least six black individuals in Dayton over the previous four years.
The American Civil Liberties Union in Columbus requested federal protection for other officials working on desegregation plans following Glatt's death. The FBI conducted the investigation into the shooting, as it occurred on federal property. Despite the tragedy, Ohio State University President Harold L. Enarson emphasized the importance of continuing the desegregation efforts.
Glatt's death was a significant loss to the community and the nation, as he was a dedicated advocate for integration and had worked on desegregation plans in numerous cities across the United States. His legacy continues to inspire efforts towards equality and justice in education.
