The Tulsa, Oklahoma man who ran over a Lebanese woman before later killing her son has been charged with a hate crime.
The family of Khalid Jabara says 61-year-old Stanley “Vernon” Majors terrorized them for years while living next door and eventually took his hatred to the most unthinkable level possible when he fatally shot Khalid Jabara on August 12. The Jabara family posted a public plea for justice through their social media channels following Khalid’s senseless murder, where they also opened up about the lack of urgency on the part of the Tulsa Police Department, despite their repeated requests for additional help in keeping their family safe from Majors. The family believed Khalid’s murder could have been prevented had law enforcement taken the situation more seriously and ensured that Majors was kept behind bars after the attack on their mother.
Racist Oklahoma Neighbor Hit Woman With Car And Later Murdered Her Son in Alleged Hate Crime
Nevertheless, it seems the efforts of the Jabara family in the wake of their brother’s death have not gone unnoticed.
Majors has since been charged with first-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm in connection with Khalid’s death. Additionally, he is accused of “misdemeanor malicious intimidation or harassment with specific intent to intimidate or harass because of race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin,” according to ABC News. Police have also responded to reports that Khalid called because he felt he was in danger of what Majors might do less than an hour before Majors shot and killed him.
Tulsa Police Sgt. Dave Walker says they arrived at Majors’ residence after receiving the call from Khalid but left after they were “unable to locate any criminal activity,” despite Majors being out on bail and awaiting trial for running over Khalid’s mother the year before. “If we knock on the door and [Majors] doesn’t answer, there’s nothing that gives us the opportunity to go into his house,” he said.
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The Jabara family released a statement shortly after the charges were filed against Majors, applauding the district attorney’s office for finally acknowledging Majors’ criminal action as a hate crime. “In charging Majors with a hate crime in addition to first degree murder, the district attorney’s office is making a much-needed and powerful statement that hatred and violence based on race, color, religion, ancestry, and national origin has no place in our society,” the family said.
Majors is currently behind held without bond in a Tulsa County Jail and is scheduled to be arraigned this morning.