Salon security footage captures arrest of Devil’s Den murder suspect

Arrest of Suspect in Double Murder at Devil’s Den State Park

Surveillance footage from an Arkansas salon recorded Andrew James McGann’s arrest in relation to a double homicide at Devil’s Den State Park. The video shows the 28-year-old dressed in a light blue polo and khaki pants while getting his hair cut at Lupita’s Beauty Salon & Barber Shop.

McGann was handcuffed by an Arkansas State Police (ASP) officer who entered the salon just as he was mid-haircut, removing the black and white salon cape during the arrest. Witnesses, including patrons and staff, observed the event quietly, noting that McGann did not attempt to resist.

Earlier, at 4:57 PM on Wednesday, McGann was charged with two counts of capital murder concerning the deaths of Clinton David Brink, 43, and Christan Amanda Brink, 41. The couple was discovered dead on a trail within the park.

Authorities confirmed that their two daughters, aged 7 and 9, were unharmed and are currently safe with family members. During a press briefing on Thursday, ASP Director Colonel Mike Hagar reported that both adults had died from stab wounds. A knife was identified as the murder weapon, and it appears that the attack was entirely random, with no links between McGann and the victims.

“It seems like a completely random event,” Hagar noted, emphasizing that they had found no evidence to suggest the children were targeted. He also mentioned that McGann sustained injuries during the attack, and his blood helped the authorities identify him as a suspect.

In an unexpected twist, Hagar stated that McGann confessed to the crime, with DNA evidence supporting his involvement. “Everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” he reminded. “However, we confirmed that the suspect’s DNA matches what was found at the crime scene.” Additionally, items retrieved from McGann’s home matched what was linked to the murders.

Background of the Suspect

McGann, who previously worked as a teacher in Oklahoma, had recently resigned before the incident. Sand Springs Public Schools noted that he had passed background checks prior to his employment. Interestingly, he hadn’t yet started a new position in Arkansas, according to Springdale Public Schools, where details regarding his contact with students were limited due to the ongoing investigation.

Some concerns were raised about McGann’s past conduct. A mother from his previous school district shared that her son had reported inappropriate behavior from McGann towards a young female student. Consequently, McGann was placed on administrative leave while the complaints were investigated. Although the investigation did not find enough evidence of misconduct, it concluded that his classroom management was inadequate, resulting in his resignation shortly thereafter.

Details about the Victims

The Brink family had recently relocated from South Dakota to Arkansas and was exploring Devil’s Den State Park with their daughters when the tragic incident occurred. Authorities discovered the bodies along a secluded hiking trail on Sunday afternoon.

Investigators believe Clinton was initially attacked, and that Kristan tried to protect her children by moving them away before returning to assist her husband. Sadly, both parents succumbed to their injuries, as revealed by investigators.

As the manhunt continues, authorities have gathered over 500 tips related to the case, although they believe McGann acted alone. Major Stacey Rhodes mentioned that McGann admitted to the crime during questioning and that forensic analysis is ongoing.