In the small town of Allen, Kentucky, the afternoon of October 16, 1981, was shattered by an act of violence that would leave a lasting scar on the community. Rufus Hamilton, a 42-year-old man, was among five individuals who tragically lost their lives in a shooting spree at the Mountain Auto-Truck Parts Store. The quiet day turned into a scene of chaos and horror when a gunman entered the establishment and opened fire.
The perpetrator was identified as William O.
Bevins, a 70-year-old retired miner. Reports from the time indicate that Bevins was embroiled in a dispute with another man present at the auto parts store, 28-year-old Roger Click. Eyewitnesses reportedly saw the two men arguing shortly before the shooting began. It is believed that this altercation was the catalyst for the tragic events that followed, with the other victims, including Rufus Hamilton, being caught in the deadly crossfire. The other men killed in the incident were Jarvey Hamilton, 28, Michael Joe Halbert, 28, and Roger Hatfield, 34.
In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement quickly apprehended William O. Bevins at his home in the nearby community of Printer. He was taken into custody without resistance and subsequently faced legal proceedings for his actions. Bevins initially entered a plea of not guilty. However, following some early testimony in his trial, he changed his plea to guilty on all charges.
The court sentenced Bevins to death for the murders. However, due to a later ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the constitutionality of the death penalty at the time, his sentence was commuted to life in prison. William O. Bevins would ultimately spend the remainder of his life incarcerated, never to regain his freedom after the devastating events of that autumn day. He died in prison.
