The individual suspected of committing a gruesome double homicide against a couple hiking with their children in rural Arkansas was apprehended at a hair salon during a haircut.
Andrew James McGann, 28, allegedly murdered Clinton and Cristen Brink, 43 and 41, at Devil’s Den State Park on Saturday.
Now, extraordinary CCTV has emerged showing the moment he was arrested four days later at a beauty salon in the middle of his haircut.
McGann was seen on camera arriving in his black car and walking wordlessly into the salon.
Hairdresser Adriana Ruiz Avalos, who cut his hair, told NewsNation he ‘looked soulless’ when he came to the salon.
‘He didn’t look right. As I was examining him, his hair, his scalp looked very dry and matted.
‘I had an eerie feeling about him.’
Extraordinary CCTV has emerged showing the moment he was arrested four days later at a beauty salon where he had just received a hair cut
Cristen Brink (left), 41, and Clinton Brink (right), 43, were discovered deceased at approximately 2.40pm on Saturday on a ‘remote and rural’ trail at Devil’s Den State Park.
McGann repeatedly insisted he didn’t want his hair shortened at the front, noting he wanted it to continue to cover his eyes.
The pair went back and forth over a specific style before ultimately agreeing on one he would like.
Avalos mentioned that her aunt, also employed at the salon, at one point requested McGann to provide his name, but rather than complying, he remained silent, staring ahead.
The shocking video cuts to the moment McGann is then confronted by plain clothes officers, who place him in handcuffs.
Once his wrists are both secure, they take off the cape that was placed around his neck at the time of the cut.
McGann made little to no effort to conceal himself or flee the area, authorities said after his arrest.
He was charged with two counts of capital murder and is being held without bail in the Washington County jail.
A newly released mugshot shows James Andrew McGann (pictured), the 28-year-old elementary school teacher accused of the brutal execution of a husband and wife.
McGann repeatedly insisted he didn’t want his hair shortened at the front, noting he wanted it to continue to cover his eyes.
Police believe Clinton and Cristen were murdered in a random, senseless attack.
According to authorities, the couple’s daughters, aged seven and nine, provided a description of the suspect who attacked their parents with a knife.
‘The initial information given by the children offered us our first lead, which was a description of a suspect,’ stated Arkansas State Police Major Stacey Rhodes.
Police said McGann, who was recently hired as a teacher in the Springdale Public Schools district, attacked Clinton first, giving Cristen time to get their daughters away from the scene.
‘The mother did not return all the way to the car with the kids, we believe the mother took them to safety then returned to help her husband,’ said Col. Mike Hagar.
The little girls eventually flagged someone in the park down and led them and police to their parents’ bodies.
A witness at the scene also reportedly shared images of the suspect’s car – a Kia Stinger – with authorities.
The couple’s two daughters – ages seven and nine – were hiking with them at the time, but came away uninjured. Pictured: The scene of the crime
A composite sketch released by Arkansas State Police prior to Gunn’s arrest
DNA recovered at the crime scene matched McGann, officials added.
The arrest marked the end of a frantic manhunt; police said they received as many as 500 tips as they searched for the suspect.
State Police Maj. Stacie Rhoads said the public’s help and video footage they received was instrumental in capturing McGann. Tips came in from as far away as Washington state, she said.
Arkansas prosecutor Brandon Carter said he will seek the death penalty against McGann.
Col. Mike Hagar said that authorities are trying to determine a motive for the attack and have no reason to believe McGann knew the couple or their children.
He also said they will look into whether McGann committed other crimes across the country.
The Brinks had recently moved from South Dakota to the small city of Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas. Their water was connected less than two weeks ago, Mayor David Faulk said.
Clinton Brink had been scheduled to start working as a milk delivery driver on Monday in the Fayetteville area, according to Hiland Dairy, his employer. Cristen Brink had been licensed as a nurse in Montana and South Dakota before moving to Arkansas.
They had another daughter was not on the hike with them. The three sisters are now in the care of family.
The Brink family said the couple died as ‘heroes protecting their little girls.’
McGann is scheduled to appear in court on August 1.
Investigators revealed that McGann had no connection to the couple he’s accused of brutally stabbing to death. They previously released this image of a person of interest in the case
The Brinks had recently moved from South Dakota to the small city of Prairie Grove in northwest Arkansas
McGann has active teaching licenses in Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, according to each respective government certification website.
He was placed on administrative leave in spring 2023 while he was employed at Donald Elementary School in Flower Mound, Texas, ‘following concerns related to classroom management, professional judgment, and student favoritism,’ according to a spokesperson for the Lewisville Independent School District.
McGann resigned from the Lewisville posting in May 2023, the district said in a statement.
