The mother of the man suspected of beheading a coworker and slashing another Thursday at an Oklahoma food processing plant has issued a video apologizing to the victims’ families and claiming there are two sides to every story.
“My heart is just so heavy right now. I know my son. My son was raised up in a loving home,” Joyce Nolen, mother of Alton Nolen, says in the video. “My son was raised up believing in God … my son was a good kid.”
Mr. Nolen, a Muslim convert who reportedly tried to convert other coworkers before being fired from Vaughan Foods, decapitated Colleen Hufford, 54, and stabbed another employee at the company’s offices Thursday, The Blaze reported.
Ms. Nolen appeared in the nearly two-minute video alongside the suspect’s sister, Megan Nolen, 27, with both expressing disbelief over what happened.
“That’s not my son. There’s two sides to every story and we’re only hearing one,” Joyce Nolen said. “His family — our hearts bleed right now, because what they saying Alton has done. I want to apologize to both families, because this is not Alton, but I just — I’m praying that justice will prevail.”
“We’re praying for both of the victims’ families and the victims,” Megan Nolen added. “We’re all still in shock right now … we just ask that everyone out there pray for us.”
“We are all very remorseful,” Paige Nolen, another sister of the suspect, told The Oklahoman. “If he had a chance to say anything, more than likely he would be apologizing, and that’s what we want the world to know.”
The beheading suspect has regained consciousness since Thursday’s attack and remains hospitalized in stable condition. He is expected to be charged Monday with first-degree murder and assault and battery with a deadly weapon. He may also face federal charges.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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