Tessie Garner, a 75-year-old woman from Carthage, North Carolina, was one of the victims in a tragic shooting incident at the Pinelake Health and Rehab Center on March 29, 2009. The incident, which has been described as a massacre, resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, including Tessie Garner. The shooter, identified as Robert Kenneth Stewart, entered the nursing home and began shooting indiscriminately, ultimately killing seven residents and a nurse.
Tessie Garner, along with the other victims, was a resident at the facility.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, but it was reported that Stewart's estranged wife worked at the nursing home. Authorities believe that Stewart went to the facility with the intention of harming her, but she managed to hide in a locked area of the building, escaping the violence. Stewart, who was 45 years old at the time, was apprehended by Carthage police officer Justin Garner, who shot him in the upper chest, ending the rampage.
Following the incident, Robert Kenneth Stewart faced multiple charges, including eight counts of first-degree murder and one count of felony assault on a law enforcement officer. During the trial, Stewart's defense argued that he was in a zombie-like state due to a combination of prescription drugs, including Ambien, and that he was essentially sleepwalking at the time of the shooting. Despite this defense, Stewart was found guilty of the murders and received a sentence of 126-157 years in prison, effectively ensuring that he would spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The tragic event left a lasting impact on the community of Carthage, as family members and friends mourned the loss of their loved ones. Tessie Garner, a former poultry farmer, was remembered by her family and friends during her funeral service at Smyrna Methodist Church. She was survived by her three daughters, two sisters, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. The community came together to support one another in the wake of the tragedy, demonstrating resilience and faith in the face of such a devastating event.
