It was a quiet Wednesday morning in the small town of Hurtsboro, Alabama, when the familiar peace of the City Grill Café was shattered by sudden violence. On March 7, 2018, Donald 'Donnie' Hughes, the 69-year-old male owner of the beloved local eatery, was going about his morning routine, serving breakfast to a handful of regular patrons. For decades, the City Grill had been a cornerstone of the community, a place known for its welcoming atmosphere, which was a direct reflection of its
generous proprietor.
Around 6:30 a.m., the café's doors opened, but it wasn't a customer seeking a warm meal who entered. Walter Frank Thomas, a 64-year-old local man, walked in armed with a. 22 caliber rifle. Witnesses recall Thomas, who was known to have a history of mental health issues, calling out for Donnie Hughes by name. As Mr. Hughes responded, Thomas opened fire, fatally wounding the respected business owner. The chaos that erupted also left three other people injured, one of whom, 74-year-old John Williams, would later succumb to his wounds.
Following the deadly assault, Thomas fled the scene and returned to his nearby residence. Law enforcement quickly descended on the area, surrounding his home. After a tense but brief standoff, officers were able to make contact with Thomas by phone and convinced him to surrender peacefully. He was taken into custody without further incident.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the small community was left reeling, mourning the loss of two of its own. Walter Frank Thomas was subsequently charged with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder. He was later indicted by a grand jury on capital murder charges.
