While Nida was hospitalized, local newspaper the Tulsa Tribune published Belton's photo and said that he "planned to escape on a plea of insanity".
[2] Nida died a week after being shot, and his wife was quoted as saying "I hope that justice will be done for they have taken an innocent life and ruined my happiness.
Several armed men entered the building, where they confronted Sheriff James Wooley and ordered him to release Belton.
Police Chief John Gustafson stated his disapproval of mob rule, but also warned that the public in Tulsa was not prejudiced against such an action.
Mobs of whites began attacking the black community in pursuit of the armed militants but before long it turned into a virtual pogrom injuring and killing hundreds of people, and burning tens of blocks to the ground, in the most destructive race riot in United States history.