Man Who Beheads: Islam Elders Notice ‘odd and bizarre behaviour’

A man accused of beheading a woman and stabbing another after he was fired from a food-processing plant "exhibited odd and bizarre behaviour" at a local mosque, according to a religious leader.

Imad Enchassi, senior imam of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, told local media that Alton Nolen's conduct had raised eyebrows among worshippers.

He said the 30-year-old had improperly handled Islam's holy book, the Quran, slept on the prayer floor, and worshipped in an unconventional manner.

The imam said mosque members had been shocked by Thursday's attack at Vaughan Foods.

Mr Enchassi told the Oklahoman newspaper: "He's as far away from Islam as he could be."

A spokesman for the Islamic Council of Oklahoma said Muslims were "shocked, horrified and saddened" about what happened.

Mark Vaughan Pic: Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office

Factory boss Mark Vaughan is being hailed as a hero for shooting Nolen

Nolen went on an apparently random knife rampage after being fired, say Moore police, for reasons that remain unclear.

He allegedly decapitated Colleen Hufford, 54, and was stabbing Traci Johnson, 43, when warehouse boss Mark Vaughan shot him.

Nolen was "co-operative" when interviewed by detectives in hospital on Friday, police spokesman Jeremy Lewis told Sky News.

He said the suspect, who was in a stable condition, is expected to be transferred to jail "within the next few days".

He faces a charge of first-degree murder.

Ms Johnson, meanwhile, remains in a stable condition in intensive care with "multiple" stab wounds.

Nolen had tried to convert workers to Islam, colleagues told investigators, though it is not clear if his beliefs had any link to the attack.

The FBI is investigating.

The suspect's Facebook page, where he used the name Jah'Keem Yisrael, is filled with bizarre rants in capital letters.

He posted an image of Batman villain the Joker, writing: "I upload this pik because America and Israel are wicked. Wake up Muslims!!!"

Another comment ended: "Jihad Jihad Jihad!"

The Oklahoma county sheriff, meanwhile, said he was "extremely proud" of Mr Vaughan.

The reserve police officer reportedly used a rifle he kept in his office to shoot the attacker.

Nolen was incarcerated until March 2013 after his conviction two years earlier of drug offences, escape from detention and assaulting a police officer.

According to state corrections department records, he has several tattoos including "as-salaamu alaikum", Arabic for "peace be with you", on his abdomen, and "Jesus Christ" on his chest.