In a series of senseless and random acts of violence that shook the city of Tulsa, 55-year-old James McDaniel, a White male, tragically lost his life on April 18, 2023. His death was part of a shooting spree that also claimed the life of another individual.
On that Tuesday, McDaniel was at a QuikTrip located at Pine and Peoria when he was approached from behind at the ATM and shot in the head.
This unprovoked attack was the second of two separate shootings carried out by the same individual within a short period. The first incident occurred at the nearby Rudisill Library, where another victim, Lundin Hathcock, was also fatally shot in the back of the head.
The man responsible for these brutal acts was identified as Carlton Gilford. Surveillance footage from both locations played a crucial role in his identification. Video from the library showed Gilford walking up behind Hathcock and shooting him, while footage from the QuikTrip captured him fatally shooting McDaniel minutes later.
An eyewitness at the QuikTrip, who had spoken to Gilford just moments before the shooting, saw the events unfold. Following the shootings, Gilford was also accused of firing at a QuikTrip employee and a security guard, who were fortunately protected by the store's bulletproof glass.
One of the first officers to arrive at the QuikTrip noticed a man matching the shooter's description standing outside the store. This man was Gilford, who reportedly confessed to the officer, stating, 'I did it,' and informed the officer that he had the gun in his pocket. The motive for the attacks was determined to be racially motivated, and Gilford was subsequently charged with a hate crime in addition to the murder charges.
In the aftermath of the tragic events, Carlton Gilford was brought to trial. A Tulsa County judge determined there was sufficient evidence for him to stand trial for the murders. Gilford was ultimately convicted on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of shooting with intent to kill, and one count of malicious intimidation or harassment. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
