The ongoing search for victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre uncovered three additional sets of remains showing gunshot wounds, as the effort to identify and honor those lost continues in Oaklawn Cemetery.

This latest excavation, part of a project launched by Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum in 2018, brings the total number of exhumed remains to 47, reaffirming the continued importance of uncovering the tragic history of the massacre that left as many as 300 Black residents dead. The new discoveries, containing critical evidence of violence from the era, will undergo DNA testing to help identify the victims and provide closure to families whose ancestors were lost in the violence.

During this round of excavation, 11 sets of remains were exhumed, with three identified as gunshot victims. Among these victims, the evidence indicates that two suffered from injuries caused by different types of firearms, showcasing the brutality of the attacks during the massacre. One individual exhibited not only gunshot wounds but also signs of burning, raising questions about the conditions of their death and burial.

The findings indicate a variety of trauma inflicted upon the victims. One victim had sustained both bullet and shotgun wounds, while another bore injuries from two different caliber bullets. Such details could provide valuable insights into the chaotic events of the massacre.

The searchers involved in the ongoing investigations are specifically looking for simple wooden caskets, which historians believe were used to bury the victims in an effort to respect their identities and restore dignity to the remains. This search is part of a broader mission to recognize and commemorate the lives lost during the brutal acts of violence perpetrated by a white mob against the Black community in Tulsa in 1921.

The exhumed remains will now be sent to Intermountain Forensics in Salt Lake City, where advanced DNA and genealogical testing will take place. This process aims to link the remains back to descendants and descendants’ families, providing much-needed closure to those connected to the victims of the massacre.

This current search for remains follows the identification of the first set of remains exhumed during this project, which was confirmed to be World War I veteran C.L. Daniel from Georgia. Unlike the newly discovered sets, Daniel's remains showed no signs of gunshot wounds—illustrating the complexities of forensic examination after so many decades.

Since the project began in 2018, the search for victims' remains has drawn both local and national attention. The effort is part of a broader commitment by civic leaders, including Mayor G.T. Bynum, who hope to continue the examination and ultimately provide a more comprehensive understanding of the events surrounding the massacre. Bynum expressed optimism that the new mayor will keep the momentum of the investigation alive, which speaks to the enduring legacy of the Black Wall Street tragedy.

As the investigations progress, efforts have also intensified to map the graves in Oaklawn Cemetery to assess the potential need for further searches. This mapping process aims to highlight any additional burial locations that were not previously identified but are believed to contain the remains of those lost during the horrific events of 1921.

Community members have expressed hope amidst the efforts, with descendants of massacre survivors, like Brenda Nails-Alford, voicing their gratitude for the work being done to find the victims’ remains. Such sentiments underscore the yearning for acknowledgment and recognition of the massacre’s impact on families and the community at large.

In addition to the search for remains, a new committee was announced to study the possibilities of reparations for both survivors and descendants of the massacre. The topic of reparations has long been a crucial conversation and reflects ongoing efforts to redress historical injustices stemming from the tragedy that devastated the Greenwood District.

The Tulsa Race Massacre, which occurred over two days in June 1921, remains a dark chapter in American history that deserves recognition. As investigations continue, the hope is that the findings will serve not just as historical records, but also as steps towards healing a community deeply affected by the events of that fateful summer.