Man Beheads Former Co-worker After Being Fired From His Job in Oklahoma

A man in Oklahoma has beheaded one woman and wounded another after being fired from his job, police have said.

Alton Nolen, 30, attacked the two women at Vaughn Foods distribution plant in Moore, Oklahoma on Thursday afternoon. A manager who is also a reserve police officer stopped the attack by shooting and injuring Mr Nolen.

A police spokesman said the FBI was investigating Mr Nolen's background, after colleagues said he had recently tried to convert them to Islam.

But Sergeant Jeremy Lewis from Moore Police Department said the attack "did appear random".

Earlier in the afternoon Mr Nolen had been fired from his job in the plant.

Police said he was angry and immediately went to the parking lot, then drove his vehicle to the front of the business where he hit another vehicle.

Mr Nolen then entered the main entrance to the front office where he came across his first victim, Colleen Hufford, 54.

"During the attack, Nolen severed the victim's head," said police.

Mr Nolen then began assaulting his second victim, Traci Johnson, 43, with the same knife.

"It appears they were just in his way when he came in," said Mr Lewis.

Mr Nolen's attack was stopped when the CEO of the plant, Mark Vaughn, who is a also a police reserve deputy, shot and injured him.

"The off-duty deputy definitely saved Traci's life," said Mr Lewis.

Mr Nolen and the second victim were taken to the hospital where they are both said to be in a stable condition.

Vaughn Foods has released a statement:

On behalf of everyone at Vaughan Foods, we are shocked and deeply saddened by the events of today. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the team member we lost and all those affected. Our focus is on the safety and well-being of our employees. We will provide counseling and support for our team members and support each other through this difficult time. We are working with authorities on this active investigation and ask that you direct your questions to local law enforcement.

Via BBC