The two suspects in the Tulsa shooting spree two weeks ago were charged with murder, media reports said.
Prosecutors filed murder and hate crime charges against Jake England, 19, and Alvin Watts, 33, for killing three black residents. They were also charged with shooting with the intent to kill two other black residents, a local NewsOn6 station reported.
“Filing charges is the first step to obtain justice for the victims and their families,” Doug Drummond, Tulsa County first assistant district attorney, said in a statement obtained by the station. “This is a tragic and senseless crime. Our office is committed to holding those responsible accountable for their actions.”
The men could, if convicted, face the death penalty in the shooting spree.
England made statements that were published on Saturday that he is not a racist.
“I always got along with everybody,” he said in the recording on Friday morning, according to CNN. “It didn’t matter what color he was.”
