On a tragic Saturday afternoon in Columbia, Tennessee, Stacie Wright, a 51-year-old female, lost her life in a sudden and violent shooting. The incident, which also claimed the life of her neighbor, 46-year-old John Bidle, unfolded on May 31, 2025, sending shockwaves through their quiet neighborhood.
According to authorities and witness accounts, the ordeal began when Byron Childers, a 46-year-old neighbor, allegedly armed with a rifle, confronted John Bidle in his yard.
After fatally shooting Bidle, Childers' attention turned to Stacie Wright. Alerted by the commotion, she had opened her door to see what was happening. Childers is then accused of shooting and killing her. A third person, a man driving an ice cream truck, was also shot but survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
The alleged gunman, Byron Childers, was taken into custody at the scene. He is facing two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder. During a preliminary hearing, it was revealed that Childers was considered a friend by the Bidle family. However, on the day of the shooting, he was reportedly heard calling John Bidle a 'demon from hell.' Following the shooting, a mental health evaluation was ordered for Childers, who remains in jail without bond.
Stacie Wright was remembered as a beloved wife, mother, friend, and mentor. She worked as a talent acquisition specialist at Ultium Cells and was an active volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Tennessee. She and her husband, Sean Wright, had recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. She is survived by her husband and two children. Her family and friends described her as a joyful, caring, and compassionate person who was a bright light in her community.
