WRAL.com archive: Carthage nursing home massacre

On Sunday, March 29, 2009, a gunman shot and killed eight people and wounded three people in the Pinelake Health and Rehab Center in Carthage in Moore County. Carthage police officer Justin Garner, 25, stopped the gunman with a single shot to the chest.

The victims were Pinelake residents Tessie Garner, 75; Lillian Dunn, 89; Jesse Musser, 88; Bessie Hedrick, 78; John Goldston, 78; Margaret Johnson, 89; Louise De Kler, 98; and nurse Jerry Avant Jr., 39. Police arrested Robert Stewart, 45, on eight charges of first-degree murder.

Latest stories:

• Nursing home massacre victims receive outpouring of support
• Hero officer returns to work after nursing home shootings
• Memorial service held for nursing home shooting victims
• Suspect indicted in nursing home shooting rampage
• Nursing home 'hero' says he was just doing his job

Latest videos and audio:

• Web only: Nursing home 'hero' says he was just doing his job
• Stricken community tries to heal after shootings
• Moore hospital treated suspect, victims
• Father: Carthage officer ready to get back to work
• Wife speaks out about nursing home shootings

Remembering the victims

• Jerry Avant Jr.
• Louise De Kler
• Lillian Dunn
• Tessie Garner
• John Goldston
• Bessie Hedrick
• Margaret Johnson
• Jesse Musser

Memorials and other events

• Services scheduled for Pinelake victims
• March 31 - April 3: Family care center offers free grief counseling
• April 2: Carthage church to hold grief program
• April 4: Community healing service planned in Moore County
• April 19: Nursing home to hold memorial for dead, heroes
• Fund to help families of Carthage massacre victims

News conferences:

• March 30 3 p.m. news conference
• March 30 10 a.m. press conference
• March 29 press conference

Autopsy reports:

• Tessie Garner autopsy report
• John Walter Goldston autopsy report
• Bessie Hedrick autopsy report
• Jesse Vernon Musser autopsy report
• Lillian Eugenia Dunn autopsy report

Other links:

• A timeline of the Carthage nursing home massacre
• Photos: Carthage nursing home shooting
• Search warrants in Carthage nursing home shooting
• Robert Stewart arrest warrants
• Pinelake Health and Rehab Center
• Map

Memorial fund

The North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association has created the Carthage Crisis Assistance Fund to help victims and their families. Contributions can be made at any branch of Capital Bank or sent payable to:

Carthage Crisis Assistance Fund
North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association
5109 Bur Oak Circle
Raleigh, N.C. 27612

In lieu of flowers, Pine Lake Health and Rehap asks contributions be made to the above fund.