The man accused of fatally stabbing a couple on a hiking trail in front of their two daughters made two unusual requests when he arrived at a barbershop—just moments before being taken into custody, according to witnesses.
Andrew James McGann, 28, a former teacher, was arrested mid-haircut at Lupita’s Beauty Salon in Springdale, Arkansas—still wearing the barber cape—four days after the deadly attack at Devil’s Den State Park.
Surveillance footage captured the moment investigators entered the salon and apprehended McGann, ending an intensive manhunt.
McGann had recently relocated from Oklahoma to Washington County, Arkansas, where he was preparing to start a new teaching position. Authorities say he is the suspect in the double homicide of Clinton and Cristen Brink, who were hiking with their daughters, ages 7 and 9, in the remote park.
Investigators believe McGann first stabbed Clinton while Cristen attempted to lead the children to safety. She later returned to help her husband but was also fatally attacked.
On the day of his arrest, hairstylist Adriana Ruiz Avalos noticed McGann pulling into the parking lot in a black Kia Stinger—the same make and model previously described by police. Her sister, Alejandra Ruiz, who was also present, recounted the events to The U.S. Sun.
Avalos, who was described as naturally anxious, served McGann without incident at first. However, Ruiz said the sisters became uneasy when McGann declined to add his name to the salon’s waitlist and made a peculiar request to keep the top of his hair long.
“He refused to write his name on the waitlist, which isn’t mandatory, but it was kind of a red flag,” Ruiz told The U.S. Sun.
Although the refusal didn’t raise immediate alarm—since the salon was busy—they seated McGann and began the haircut. Ruiz recalled how he kept his eyes down and appeared nervous. He also requested that the top of his hair remain untouched, which she speculated was an attempt to obscure his face.
Surveillance video showed McGann entering the shop with his hands in his pockets before sitting in the barber’s chair and giving instructions for his haircut. Moments later, detectives entered and asked who owned the Kia parked outside. They quickly ordered Avalos to stop cutting and took McGann into custody.
Ruiz said the moment felt surreal.
“This is something that came in as a shocker. Nobody prepares you for things like this,” she said.
She added that her sister swept up McGann’s hair and offered it to authorities for potential DNA evidence.
While Ruiz said she was relieved the arrest happened safely, she acknowledged how differently things might have gone. “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 later learned McGann had reportedly been trying to get a haircut for two days but refused to put his name down at other salons, many of which only accept appointments. Because Lupita’s is walk-in only, he may have chosen it as a last resort.
In an interview with NewsNation, Avalos said McGann gave off an eerie vibe. She noted that his eyes looked “very sunken” and something about him felt “off.”
Authorities later confirmed McGann had previously worked as a teacher in Oklahoma and Texas. Several former employers released statements following his arrest:
- Lewisville ISD noted McGann was placed on administrative leave in spring 2023 due to concerns about professional conduct. He resigned shortly afterward.
- Broken Arrow Public Schools confirmed he taught fifth grade during the 2023–2024 school year before voluntarily leaving to take another job out of state.
- Sand Springs Public Schools said he passed all required background checks and left at the end of the 2024–2025 school year.
- Springdale Public Schools confirmed he had been hired for the upcoming academic year but had not yet interacted with any students.
Authorities say McGann confessed to killing the Brinks. He has been charged with two counts of capital murder and could face the death penalty. Investigators have not identified a motive but stated that there is no known connection between McGann and the victims, suggesting the attack was random.
A parent of one of McGann’s former students described him as “cold,” telling the Associated Press he often gave short, one-word answers when spoken to.
Investigators said McGann suffered injuries during the stabbing and that his DNA matched blood found at the scene. Additional knives and evidence were recovered from his home.
Cristen and Clinton Brink had moved to Arkansas from South Dakota less than two weeks before their deaths. They were described by investigators and loved ones as heroes for protecting their daughters, who were unharmed in the attack.
“They absolutely protected those girls to the fullest extent,” officials said.
Timeline of Events:
- July 16: The Brink family activates their water service in Prairie Grove, Arkansas.
- July 26: Clinton and Cristen Brink are found dead on a trail in Devil’s Den State Park after their daughters alert rangers.
- July 27: Police release the victims’ identities and request park visitors check photos for clues.
- July 28: A sketch of the suspect is released.
- July 29: Investigators publish a witness photo of the person of interest.
- July 30: McGann is arrested at Lupita’s Beauty Salon around 5 p.m.
Authorities confirmed that McGann’s DNA was linked to blood found at the scene and that evidence collected from his home further connected him to the crime.
Cristen and Clinton’s families mourned their loss, calling them heroes who will “forever live on in all of our hearts.”
