THE VICTIM
Neal SweeneyThe 63-year-old was shot in the head at his business during the morning of Sept. 4, 2008. Prosecutors allege that a hitman was hired to kill Sweeney — a prominent Tulsa businessman, former University of Tulsa football player and community leader — over a business deal.
THE PROSECUTOR
Tim Harris, DAThe Tulsa County District Attorney and his office filed the first charge on June 4, 2009 — eight months after Sweeney’s death. A total of five people have been charged in the ongoing murder-conspiracy case.
THE INVESTIGATORS
Sgt. Mike HuffAs supervisor of the Homicide Unit, Huff has led the investigation into Sweeney's homicide. Huff has investigated homicides in Tulsa for more than 30 years.
Detective Vic RegaladoRegalado has been a case investigator in the Homicide Unit for seven years. Along with Detective Jeff Felton , Regalado has investigated many angles in the Sweeney homicide. Their work has led to charges against five people in the murder conspiracy case.
Detective Jeff Felton Felton was a Crime Scene Investigator for three years before becoming a case investigator in the Homicide Unit 11 years ago. Along with Detective Vic Regalado, Felton has investigated many angles in the Sweeney homicide. Their work has led to charges against five people in the murder conspiracy case.
THE ACCUSED
Mohammed AzizThe 58-year-old is accused of instigating and facilitating the murder-for-hire plot, allegedly agreeing to pay $10,000 for a hitman to kill Sweeney. Court documents indicate that Sweeney’s business obtained a $238,368.72 default judgment against Aziz in May 2008 for gas sold at his store.
Terrico BethelThe 25-year-old is accused of being the triggerman in Neal Sweeney’s shooting. Bethel was jailed within nine months of the shooting and has remained in jail ever since.
Alonzo Johnson The 39-year-old allegedly helped facilitate payment for the Sweeney killing. Johnson is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, two charges of knowingly concealing stolen property and possession of a firearm, among other charges and complaints.
Fred ShieldsHe was charged for his alleged role in recruiting a hitman. Fred Shields Jr., 37, Allen Shields’ brother, is in jail on the Sweeney murder charges and was convicted of second-degree murder in 1995 in a 12-year-old girl’s death. He was also a suspect in connection with the 2000 Osage County homicide of Raymond Lee Knox Jr. but has not been charged in that case.
Allen ShieldsHe pleaded guilty to the murder conspiracy and struck a deal with prosecutors to testify against the alleged co-conspirators. Prosecutors alleged that Shields helped facilitate payment for the killing. Shields, 34, was found dead Tuesday morning after reportedly shooting himself during a police standoff that involved an 11-year-old girl as a hostage.
