In the summer of 2014, a tragic event unfolded in Cartersville, Georgia, forever altering the lives of several families. Royce Randall 'Pops' Hobgood, a 64-year-old male, was diligently working at a residence on Brent Circle when violence unexpectedly erupted. Originally from Moultrie, Hobgood was on a carpeting job when he became the victim of a fatal shooting.
On that Tuesday afternoon, a 20-year-old man named Austin Tyler, who was working with four other men at the same location, opened fire. During the rampage, Hobgood sustained a single, fatal gunshot wound to the head. The motive for the sudden and shocking violence remains unclear.
Following the shooting of Hobgood and four other individuals, the gunman, Austin Tyler, then turned the weapon on himself, taking his own life at the scene. This act of violence left a devastating impact on the community and the families of those involved. For the Hobgood family, the grief was compounded as Royce's death occurred just three weeks after the passing of his father.
