Alton Alexander Nolen was born on August 16, 1984, in Oklahoma, USA. He worked as a production line employee at Vaughan Foods in Moore, Oklahoma. In 2010, Nolen was charged with assault and battery on a police officer after fleeing a traffic stop for a suspended license plate, leading to a twelve-hour manhunt. He was sentenced to five years in prison, served two years, and was released in March 2013, after which he was ordered to attend an anger management course. Shortly after his release, Nolen converted to Islam and began attending the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City.

On September 25, 2014, after being suspended from Vaughan Foods following a complaint by co-worker Traci Johnson regarding racial remarks, Nolen retrieved a knife from his home and returned to the workplace. He attacked Colleen Hufford from behind, slashing her throat and beheading her. Nolen then attacked Traci Johnson, attempting to behead her as well, but she survived the assault. The attack ended when Vaughan Foods' Chief Operating Officer, Mark Vaughan, who was also an Oklahoma County reserve deputy, shot and wounded Nolen.

Nolen was charged with first-degree murder and assault and battery with a deadly weapon. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, citing a history of schizophrenia. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence of Nolen's confessions, where he stated he felt oppressed and believed he was following Islamic teachings. The jury rejected his insanity defense, convicting him on September 30, 2017. They recommended the death penalty, and on December 15, 2017, Nolen was sentenced to death by lethal injection. 

As of March 28, 2025, Alton Nolen remains on death row, awaiting execution.​