Devil's Den ‘killer' Andrew James McGann's two barbershop requests that raised ‘red flags' minutes before his arrest

Scottish Sun

01-08-2025

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THE former teacher accused of killing a couple in front of their children on a rural hiking trail made two strange demands as he suddenly turned up at a barbershop before being arrested.
Double homicide suspect Andrew James McGann, 28, still had his gown on as he was handcuffed and questioned by Arkansas investigators inside the salon, surveillance footage showed.
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Surveillance footage showed the moment Andrew James McGann was arrested in a barbershop - four days after allegedly killing a couple in front of their kids
Credit: X/WFLA
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The arrest happened at Lupita's Beauty Salon in Springdale, Arkansas
Credit: Google
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The Brinks were hiking with their daughters on July 26 when they were allegedly attacked by Andrew McGann
Credit: Facebook
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The Brinks were found dead on a rural hiking trail in Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas
Credit: AP
McGann, who had just moved from Oklahoma to the Washington county area in Arkansas to start a new teaching role, was arrested on Wednesday inside Lupita's Beauty Salon in Springdale.
His arrest ended a four-day manhunt in which authorities were searching for a cold-blooded killer who on July 26 allegedly fatally stabbed parents Clinton and Cristen Brink in an area of Devil's Den State Park, about 30 miles from Springdale.
Arkansas investigators said that McGann first attacked Clinton as Cristen led their two young daughters, ages 7 and 9, to safety away from danger.
Moments later, Cristen returned to help her husband, but was also stabbed to death by McGann, authorities said.
On Wednesday afternoon, McGann turned up at Lupita's Beauty Salon, where hairstylist Adriana Ruiz Avalos noticed his black Kia Stinger pulling up to the shop's parking lot.
Alejandra Ruiz, Adriana's sister and triplet who was also present at the time of the arrest, told The U.S. Sun her anxious sibling immediately looked out the window and attended McGann when he walked inside the salon.
Ruiz said their suspicions were raised when McGann refused to sign a waiting list and instructed her sister to keep the top of his hair long.
'He refused to write his name on the waitlist that we have up on the front, which isn't mandatory, but that was kind of a red flag," Ruiz told The U.S. Sun.
However, Ruiz said McGann's act wasn't enough to spark a major concern.
'It's kind of suspicious. Most customers do sign the waitlist at a minimum because we are walk-ins, but he refused," she added.
Devil's Den 'killer' James Andrew McGann scowls in chilling mugshot after 'murdering 2' as it's confirmed he's a TEACHER
"We didn't think much of it because we were busy at that time. So, we just sat him down."
Surveillance footage from the salon showed the man believed to be McGann, who has his hands in his pants pockets, walking over to the barber's chair.
The chair spins toward the mirror and he touches the top of his hair, explaining to the stylist what he wants.
Ruiz claimed McGann asked the stylist to keep the top portion of his hair untouched.
'When he asked for the haircut he requested to leave the top long,' she added.
'That way he could keep covering his face, so she didn't really have a clear view.'
Ruiz recalled how McGann appeared timid and kept trying to cover his face, looking downward.
Statements from suspect's previous employers
Before he was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, Andrew James McGann worked as an elementary school teacher. Below are statements from some of the schools he was hired by:
Lewisville ISD
Lewisville ISD is aware of the recent arrest of a former teacher who was employed at Donald Elementary during the 2022-23 school year. The individual was placed on administrative leave in the spring of 2023 following concerns related to classroom management, professional judgment, and student favoritism. An internal investigation found no evidence of inappropriate behavior with students. The teacher resigned from the district in May 2023.
Our hearts are with the victims and all those affected by this tragic situation. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority, and we are committed to supporting our school community during this time.
As this is an ongoing law enforcement matter, any additional questions should be directed to the investigating agency.
Broken Arrow Public Schools
The man who was arrested in Arkansas for the murders at Devil's Den State Park was a teacher for Broken Arrow Public Schools during the 23/24 school year. He was a 5th grade teacher at Spring Creek Elementary during the 23/24 school year and left of his own accord to work out of state.
As with all employees hired by the district, he was subjected to and passed the legally required background checks prior to being hired. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family affected by this unimaginable act of violence.
Sand Springs Public Schools
Sand Springs Public Schools is aware of the recent arrest of a former employee. Andrew McGann was employed at Sand Springs Public Schools from the summer of 2024 to May 2025. At the end of the 2024-25 school year, McGann resigned his position to move out of state.
The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. Every employee undergoes a mandatory background check for the district when they are hired. Additionally, each teacher undergoes a background check for the Oklahoma State Department of Education. McGann passed all background checks.
While SSPS has not yet been contacted by authorities regarding this matter, the district has and will always comply with requests from law enforcement in any investigation.
Our hearts are with the family and loved ones who have suffered this tragic loss.
Springdale Public Schools
Springdale Public Schools can confirm that Andrew McGann was a teacher candidate hired for the upcoming school year, who has not yet begun employment with the district. This individual has not at any time come into contact with Springdale students or the families we serve. At this time, we cannot offer any additional information due to the ongoing investigation. At the appropriate time, additional information will be forthcoming. Our entire team extends our deepest condolences to the Brink family. Their children are especially in our thoughts and prayers
Ruiz said her sister was only minutes into cutting McGann's hair when detectives walked into the salon and asked who was the owner of the Kia Stinger parked outside.
Detectives ordered the stylist to stop the haircut before they started to quiz McGain.
'They walked in, started taking pictures, and that's when they got him into custody,' Ruiz said.
This is something that came in as a shocker. Nobody prepares you for things like this.
Alejandra Ruiz.
Ruiz told The U.S. Sun that her and her sister's suspicions about McGann were confirmed when investigators told them he is potentially connected to the Devil's Den double homicide case.
"This is something that came in as a shocker. Nobody prepares you for things like this," she added.
It just all happened so fast, but she [Adriana] did describe feeling scared and she decided to sweep up some of his hair and give it to detectives so if they needed it for evidence to help confirm that it was him.
"It was just a bit confusing at first, but there's a little piece of mind knowing that there were authorities in here and once the detectives came and said that it was him that they were looking for we got a little bit of piece of mind, first and foremost.
"It happened quickly but things could've gone worse, it could've gone south. We're thankful it didn't take a different route."
Ruiz claimed that several barbershop and salon owners in the area told her that McGann had been trying to get a haircut for the past two days.
"What I was told by other salons was that he had been trying to get haircuts for like two days now," she added.
"But because most establishments in the area are by appointments only, I guess he decided to stop by here since we are walk-in."
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Andrew McGann, seen scowling in a mugshot, admitted the killings, according to investigators
Credit: AP
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Family members said Cristen and Clinton Brink died heroes
Credit: Jam Press
'SUNKEN EYES'
Adriana Avalos, Ruiz's sister, told NewsNation that McGann had an eerie aura about him.
Avalos described his eyes as 'very sunken' and admitted something didn't feel quite right.
McGann had recently moved to Arkansas, having worked as a teacher at schools in Oklahoma and Texas, investigators said at a news conference on Thursday afternoon.
A parent of one of McGann's former students in Texas described his personality as "cold."
'You could ask him a question, and he would give you a one-word response," Sierra Marcum, whose son was in McGann's 4th grade class at Donald Elementary in Flower Mound, told the Associated Press.
Investigators said McGann admitted to authorities that he killed the Brinks on the trail.
McGann has been charged with two counts of capital murder and could potentially face the death penalty.
Authorities said McGann had no connection to the victims and the killings appeared to be a random act of violence.
Timeline of the murders
Clinton Brink, 43, and Cristen Brink, 43, were killed while hiking at Devil's Den State Park with their daughters. Below is a timeline of the case:
July 16 - The Brink family has their water service turned on after recently moving to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, according to Mayor David Falk.
July 26 - Clinton and Cristen are found dead on Devil's Den trail at around 2:30 pm after their two daughters ran to the visitor's center and said their parents were attacked.
July 27 - Police release the identities of the slain couple. Cops ask park visitors to check their pictures and footage from Saturday for possible images of the suspect.
July 28 - Arkansas State Police releases a sketch of a person of interest in the case.
July 29 - ASP releases a picture from a witness of the person of interest in the case.
July 30 - Andrew James McGann is arrested mid-haircut at Lupita's Beauty Salon and Barber Shop just before 5 pm
A motive has not been established.
Investigators revealed on Thursday that McGann suffered injuries during attack on the Brinks and that his DNA matched blood that was found at the crime scene.
Additional evidence including additional knives were found at McGann's home in Springdale, authorities said.
Clinton, 43, and Cristen Brink, 41, had moved to Prairie Grove, Arkansas, from South Dakota less than two weeks before their tragic killings.
Prairie Grove officials said the couple had started their water service on July 16 - 10 days before their deaths.
The Brinks two young daughters were not injured in the attacks.
"They absolutely protected those girls to the fullest extent," investigators said of the couple on Thursday.
The Brink family mourned their loved ones and said Cristen and Clinton died as heroes.
"They will forever live on in all of our hearts," the families said.