In a significant breakthrough, a third set of remains with a gunshot wound has been discovered at Oaklawn Cemetery in Tulsa, confirming the presence of victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. State archaeologist Kary Stackelbeck made the announcement, stating that the exhumed remains were found in an area believed to be the resting place of 18 Black men who tragically lost their lives during the violent event.

The ongoing search, which has already unearthed a total of 40 graves, has yielded the excavation of three sets of remains that meet the burial criteria consistent with the manner in which massacre victims were interred. The identified remains have been transferred to the forensic facility on site for thorough analysis.

Only a month ago, the first set of remains from the search were identified as belonging to World War I veteran C.L. Daniel from Georgia. While no gunshot wound was found on Daniel's remains, they were extensively fragmented, making it impossible to determine the cause of his death.

Forensic anthropologist Phoebe Stubblefield, who has been closely involved in the examination, mentioned that the newly discovered remains will undergo analysis to shed further light on the circumstances surrounding their death. The findings will contribute to the ongoing effort to honor the memory of the victims and provide closure to their descendants.

It is worth noting that previous searches in the area led to the detection of over 120 sets of remains. Approximately two dozen of these remains were sent to Intermountain Forensic in Salt Lake City for identification purposes. The combined efforts of the forensic team, historical records, and newspaper articles from the time have been crucial in piecing together the puzzle of Tulsa's dark history.

In a separate development, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and City Councilor Vanessa Hall-Harper recently announced the establishment of a new committee. The committee's primary objective is to explore reparations for the survivors and descendants of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Additionally, it aims to address the longstanding injustices faced by the affected community residing in the north Tulsa area.

As the search for answers continues and the remains of victims are recovered, the city of Tulsa is taking crucial steps towards acknowledging and addressing the scars left by the devastating event of 1921. The ongoing excavation provides an opportunity not only to learn from the past but also to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all its residents.