- The Washington Times - Friday, September 26, 2014

Police in Moore, Oklahoma, enlisted the help of the FBI as they try to uncover information about Alton Nolen, the former Vaughan Foods employee accused of beheading one woman and attempting to kill another on Thursday.

Colleen Hufford, 54, was beheaded in the attack and another employee, Traci Johnson, 43, was stabbed, The Associated Press reported.

Mark Vaughan, a reserve sheriff’s deputy and the company’s chief operating officer, then ended the ordeal by using his personal firearm to wound the suspect, AP reported.

“This was not going to stop if he didn’t stop it. It could have gotten a lot worse,” Police Sgt. Jeremy Lewis told AP.

Mr. Nolan, 30, has not been charged, AP reported.

In interviews with employees, several told police that Mr. Nolen had been trying to convert them to Islam before his termination, according to police statement issued on Friday.

Between the employees’ statements and the manner by which the victim was killed, as well as other initial information, police said they decided to contact the FBI to further investigate.

Mr. Nolan and the second victim were transported to the hospital where both are now in stable condition, police said.

A Vaughan spokeswoman said the company was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the attack, AP reported.

• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.

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