In Memoriam

The HensonFuerst family extends its deepest and most profound sympathies to the families of Sunday’s massacre of eight innocent residents at the Pinelake Health and Rehab Center, 801 Pinehurst Ave., Carthage, North Carolina—a 110-bed rehabilitation, nursing and Alzheimer’s care facility.  As many blog viewers now know, a lone gunman, whom police have identified as Robert Stewart, age 45 of Moore County, began his rampage around 10 a.m. Sunday morning.  While his motives remain unclear, Stewart faces eight counts of first-degree murder.  Moore County District Attorney Maureen Krueger identified the dead as: Tessie Garner, 88; Lillian Dunn, 89; Jesse Musser, 88; John Goldston, 78; Margaret Johnson, 89; Louise Decker, 98; Bessie Hendrick, 78; and Jerry Avent. A young Carthage police officer, Justin Garner, was shot in the leg during the incident, but he was treated and released from First Health Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.  Carthage Police Chief Chris McKenzie said Garner confronted Stewart in the hallway of the nursing home. Both men fired. Both were wounded, McKenzie said. The HensonFuerst family encourages you to share your feelings on this tragedy by posting messages with other blog viewers.