The latest search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in Oklahoma City has ended with the discovery of three sets of remains containing gunshot wounds. Among the 11 sets of remains exhumed during the excavation, two victims suffered gunshot wounds from different weapons while the third displayed evidence of burning. The searchers are looking for simple wooden caskets based on historical descriptions.
The remains will be sent to Intermountain Forensics in Salt Lake City for DNA and genealogical testing to identify the victims. The search, now in its fourth phase, has resulted in the exhumation of 47 remains so far. The identification of a World War I veteran, C.L. Daniel, from previously exhumed remains marked a significant milestone in the investigation.
Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum, who initiated the project in 2018, expressed his hope for the search to continue beyond his term. Investigators are mapping the graves to determine if further searches are necessary, with a focus on finding individuals who fit the profile of massacre victims. Descendants of massacre survivors, such as Brenda Nails-Alford, are appreciative of the efforts to find the victims’ remains, hoping for justice and healing for the affected families.
In addition to the search for remains, a new committee has been formed to study potential reparations for survivors and descendants of the massacre. The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre was a devastating episode of racial violence that led to the destruction of Black Wall Street and the deaths of hundreds of Black individuals. The efforts to uncover the truth and seek justice for the victims reflect a commitment to addressing this tragic event in history.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com