That’s not my son: Beheading suspect’s mum makes video apology

The mother of a man suspected of beheading a colleague at a food-processing plant in Oklahoma has apologised in a video posted on Facebook. The suspect, Alton Nolen, 30, is due to be charged later on Monday with first-degree murder, as well as assault and battery with a deadly weapon. He may also face federal charges.

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.

Paige Nolen - Alton’s sister

In the video, his mother Joyce Nolen said: “My son was a good kid. I know what they saying, but I’m going to tell you this, that’s not my son.” Nolen, a 30-year-old Islamic convert, went on a rampage Thursday afternoon following his firing at Vaughan Foods. He severed 54-year-old Colleen Hufford’s head at the neck with a produce knife before attacking Traci Johnson, 43, who survived the slashing. Ms Nolen added: “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.”

There’s two sides to every story, and we’re only hearing one.

Joyce Nolen

World alton nolen