A former Terre Haute resident lost her life in Columbia, Tenn. May 31 after a violent attack in her neighborhood that left two people dead and another injured.
Stacie Lynn Malone Wright, 51, who graduated from Terre Haute North Vigo High School and Indiana State University, was one of two people killed in the attack; the other individual who died, John Bidle, was a neighbor.
The suspected gunman, Byron Childers, 41, lived just a few houses down from the victims, according to NewsChannel5 in Nashville.
Childers faces multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder, the station reported. Others individuals were assaulted in the attack.
According to WSMV.com, quoting affidavits, Childers walked up and shot 46-year-old Bidle, who was standing in front of a house in the neighborhood. Witnesses reported that Childers then stood over Bidle in the street and shot him several more times while shouting, “It was safe now,” because he got the “demon from hell.”
While this was happening, Wright opened the door of her home to see what the noise was, and Childers turned the gun on her, according to the affidavit. She was hit multiple times. Bidle lived across the street from her, the station reported.
Childers later began firing at an ice cream truck on the street. A man in the ice cream truck was struck by a bullet in the hip, and his truck was hit several times by the gunfire, WSMV reported.
Wright was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where she later died.
In Tennessee, she had been a talent acquisition specialist at Ultium Cells.
She was born to the late Silver Ruth Barksdale Malone and Pastor Cleytus D. Malone, according to an obituary.
Survivors include her husband of 20 years, Sean Wright, and children, Sydni and Sean Michael of Columbia, Tennessee, as well as her father, Cleytus Malone of Terre Haute and brother, Dwayne Malone of Terre Haute.
Ceremonies to celebrate Wright’s life are June 14 at Saints Home Church of God in Christ in Terre Haute; visitation is from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. and the funeral is at 1 p.m
In lieu of flowers, people are asked to donate to Stacie’s GoFundMe at bit.ly/4n1F5vi
The Boys and Girls Club of South Central Tennessee issued the following statement on social media after her death:
“We are heartbroken.
“This weekend, we lost a beloved member of our Boys & Girls Club family. Stacie Wright—a longtime volunteer, mentor, and friend—tragically lost her life in Columbia.
“Stacie was a bright light in our community. She gave her time freely and her heart fully, always showing up with warmth, joy, and an unwavering commitment to the mission. Whether she was helping behind the scenes at fundraising events or guiding kids as they built birdhouses in Spring Hill, Stacie’s presence made everything better. She truly embodied the spirit of service, and her impact on our youth was immeasurable.
“We are devastated by this loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and colleagues at Ultium Cells during this incredibly difficult time. Stacie touched so many lives, and her kindness will never be forgotten.
“She will be missed more than words can say.”