Oklahoma Beheading Suspect Charged with First Degree Murder: 'Not a Religious Act, Race-Related'

by Kelli Serio

Sep 30, 2014 12:14 PM PT

Alton Nolen, the Muslim convert who recently beheaded an innocent coworker at a Vaughan's Food factory, was charged with three felony counts this morning at a Cleveland County Courthouse in Norman, Oklahoma.

Nolen faces one count of first degree murder, one count of assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and a final count of assault with a deadly weapon. 

At a press conference this morning, Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn said that the gruesome attack was race-related and not a religious act, but he did admit that Nolen was infatuated with beheadings, which was evident from his facebook page. 

"Altercation earlier in the day had to do with race, (Nolen) was saying he didn't like white people," Mashburn stated during the conference.

Mashburn said Nolen was retaliating against his coworkers who allegedly "oppressed" him at work. Several of them, victim Traci Johnson included, had filed complaints against him.

According to Mashburn, the attack is not considered an act of terror, and it will have to be pursued by federal authorities.

Breitbart News spoke with Public Information Officer Jeremy Lewis, who was on site during the press conference, and confirmed that the FBI is still investigating the alleged criminal's background, but that he is only facing state charges at this time.