Monday, March 23, 2009

Murder at the Homestead in VA mountains ... employee shoots supervisors

Murder in the Alleghany Mountains of western Virginia....

[Update Monday, March 23, at 6:30 pm: Search for suspect continues as authorities pursue Beacher Ferrel Hackney, 59, in the mountains of Bath County and beyond. Public schools in Bath and Alleghany counties were closed as a precaution with a killer on the loose.]

The Homestead Resort was busy this past Saturday night ... the band played ... guests dined ... the kitchen staff was busy. Then shots rang out as a resort employee allegedly shot and killed two supervisors in the kitchen around 8 pm.

According to the Associated Press:

Suspect Beacher Ferrel Hackney fled the scene after the shootings, and authorities were using tracking dogs, a helicopter and road checkpoints in their hunt, the sheriff’s office said.

Hackney was supervised by victims Ronnie Stinnett and Dwight Kerr, and all three worked in a department responsible for washing dishes, picking up trash and cleaning the kitchen. Stinnett and Kerr were shot with a semiautomatic handgun, Norfleet said.
The suspect was described as a loner who had worked at the resort since 2003 but who did not associate with co-workers.

Even the Anchorage Daily News has picked up on the story, publishing a story and photo of Beacher Ferrel Hackney:
The 59-year-old Hackney is suspected of shooting Ronnie Stinnett and Dwight Kerr, who worked with him washing dishes, picking up trash and cleaning. The shooting happened in the resort's kitchen about 8 p.m. when guests were eating dinner.

Hackney has been charged with murder and an arrest warrant was issued, Armstrong said.
April 3, 2009: Where is The Homestead Murderer?

Photos of the Homestead:
- Nooks and crannies of the Homestead
- Backroads of the Homestead
- Afternoon tea- Photos of Homestead on web
- Still snowing in Hot Springs
- Winter wonderland at the Homestead
- More Homestead Christmas photos
- It's Christmas at the Homestead

More information:
- WHSV TV-3 (Harrisonburg)
- Charleston (WV) Gazette
- Fox Channel (D.C.)
- Richmond Times-Dispatch
- Roanoke Times
- Daily Press
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly

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