Police Make Two More Arrests In Murder Of Tulsa Businessman

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Two more arrests have been made in connection with the murder of Tulsa businessman Neal Sweeney.

Sweeney was shot and killed in September of 2008 at his East Tulsa business.

Tulsa police arrested Alonzo Johnson and Mohammed Aziz. Both are charged with conspiracy to commit first degree murder in the September 2008 death of Neal Sweeney.

Craig Day, The News On 6: "You feel like they played an active role in this murder for hire case?

Vic Regalado, TPD Homicide Detective: "Yes. I believe they did."

Neal Sweeney, a longtime Tulsa businessman and former University of Tulsa football star, was shot and killed in his office at his business, Retail Fuels Marketing.

It was a crime that shocked and saddened many.

"It's a productive individual," Regalado said. "Neal Sweeney was a good man, a good business man and he was murdered over over a situation it shouldn't have rose to this level."

Investigators won't give specific details about how Aziz and Johnson fit into the murder and conspiracy case because of the ongoing investigation.

But last year, a jail informant told investigators Terrico Bethel, the man charged with killing Sweeney, admitted to him that Mohammad Aziz paid him $5,000 to kill Sweeney.

And that it was because Sweeney's business had sued Aziz over an unpaid fuel bill at Aziz's convenience store.

News on 6 Anchor and Crime Reporter Lori Fullbright went to the store to ask Aziz about that. He denied being upset about the lawsuit or being involved.

Lori Fullbright, The News On 6: "Why do you think Bethel said you hired him?"

Mohammed Aziz: "Don't know, don't have a clue."

Lori Fullbright, The News On 6: "So you didn't have anything to do with Neal Sweeney's murder and don't know why these three people would throw down your name?"

Mohammed Aziz: "No, don't have a clue."

Watch The News On 6 confront Mohammed Aziz

Mohammed Aziz and Alonzo Johnson are both being held in the Tulsa county jail without bond.

"We feel better to getting the people that were involved in this thing behind bars." Vic Regalado said.

The man charged with murder in the Sweeney case, Terrico Bethel, has pleaded not guilty.

Investigators say they're a step closer to providing some closure for the family of Neal Sweeney, who has been through so much since his death. They say more arrests are possible.

Read The Criminal Filing

6/4/2009 Related Story: Friends React To Arrest In Sweeney Case