Crime
Victims Identified in Accurate Energetic Systems Explosion
UPDATE: All 16 people inside the building that exploded at Accurate Energetic Systems Oct. 10 are dead, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said at an Oct. 11 press conference.
The Humphreys and Hickman County sheriffs today released the names of those who are presumed deceased as a result of the devastating explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems on Friday:
- Jason Adams
- Erick Anderson
- Billy Baker,
- Adam Boatman
- Christopher Clark
- Mindy Clifton,
- James Cook
- Reyna Gillahan
- LaTeisha Mays,
- Jeremy Moore
- Melinda Rainey
- Melissa Stanford,
- Trenton Stewart
- Rachel Woodall
- Steven Wright
- Donald Yowell
The sheriff, during often emotional press briefings outside the AES facility gates, said the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was working the site of the explosion to conduct DNA testing to confirm the identities of those who died.
TENNESSEE — State officials have provided an update on the ongoing investigation into Friday’s catastrophic explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) in rural Hickman County, confirming a slight improvement in the situation as the number of individuals unaccounted for has decreased from 18 to 16.
Authorities said two workers previously believed to have been at the facility during the blast were confirmed to be off-site at the time of the explosion.
The State Emergency Operations Center in Nashville remains at Level 4 – Elevated, coordinating efforts with local, state, and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which has deployed its elite National Response Team to assist in determining the cause of the explosion.
Officials said controlled detonations will continue periodically in order to safely dispose of unstable materials at the site.
Residents will receive at least 30 minutes’ advance notice via official social media channels before each detonation. Authorities continue to emphasize that there is no current threat to public safety, though the area remains restricted to authorized personnel.
A Family Assistance Center remains open to support affected families, and officials encouraged anyone experiencing emotional distress to call or text 988 for immediate mental health assistance.
During a press briefing Saturday, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis said that more than 300 investigators and emergency personnel have meticulously combed through nearly every part of the blast site but have found no survivors.
“I can tell you that over 300 people have been through almost every square inch of this facility, and at this time, we’ve recovered no survivors,” Davis said, visibly emotional. “It’s even more devastating than what we initially thought. Truly heartbreaking — a tremendous loss for this community.”
The explosion, which occurred shortly before 8 a.m. Friday, destroyed a large portion of the AES manufacturing campus near Bucksnort, about 50 miles west of Nashville. The facility produces military, aerospace, oil, and commercial demolition explosives, operating across a sprawling 1,300-acre site that includes eight production and testing buildings.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is assisting with victim identification, utilizing rapid DNA testing due to the severe conditions of the remains recovered so far. Sheriff Davis said investigators are treating the site as a potential crime scene until all possibilities—including foul play—can be ruled out.
“Can I say we’re going to rule out foul play? We can’t answer that yet,” Davis said. “That might be days, weeks, or even months before we can.”
The ATF’s National Response Team, composed of explosives specialists, bomb technicians, chemists, engineers, and fire investigators, arrived on site Saturday.
The team has previously handled major national cases, including the Oklahoma City bombing, the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and the 9/11 Pentagon attack. Their primary mission is to determine the origin and cause of the explosion, using advanced forensic analysis and scene reconstruction.
“So right now, our bomb technicians and explosive specialists are working methodically to make the area safe,” said ATF Supervisory Special Agent Guy McCormick. “Once that is complete, our National Response Team can begin their full investigation.”
Among those confirmed missing or deceased are Trent Stewart, Melissa Dawn Stanford, Chris Clark, Reyna Gillahan, Erick and Jeremy Moore.
Moore’s mother, Ava Hinson, said her son had been working in Building 602, the structure believed to have been completely destroyed in the explosion.
“The last I heard from him, he had just dropped off his daughter and was headed to work,” Hinson said tearfully. “It’s unbelievable — the not knowing. I don’t want bad news, but at this point, I’d almost feel better if I just knew.”
In a heartfelt statement, The Log Church, where Pastor Trent Stewart served as minister, announced changes to its Sunday services in light of his disappearance:
“One of the missing following yesterday’s explosion at AES is our pastor, Trent Stewart. Because of this, we are canceling Sunday School and worship. In their place, we will gather for a time of prayer in the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to join us.”
The church invited members of the community to come together in faith and solidarity, adding:
“Our motto has always been ‘come as you are.’ Tomorrow, that includes bringing your hurts, your grief, and your brokenness to the feet of Jesus.”
Accurate Energetic Systems released a public statement expressing condolences to the victims’ families and gratitude to emergency personnel:
“At approximately 7:45 a.m. this morning, there was a tragic accident at our facility. Emergency response teams and investigative agencies remain on scene, and the situation is under active investigation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, coworkers, and community members affected by this incident. We extend our gratitude to all first responders who continue to work tirelessly under difficult conditions. We will provide updates as more verified information becomes available.”
Rescuers were initially forced to delay their search due to dangerous conditions, including burning debris and the risk of secondary explosions. Those hazards have since been contained, and officials now describe the site as secure but unstable.
Sheriff Davis reiterated that the investigation will be lengthy and complex, citing the extent of the devastation and the hazardous nature of the materials involved.
“This is going to take time,” he said. “We’re committed to finding answers for the families and ensuring something like this never happens again.”
Officials have stressed that public safety remains a top priority as recovery and investigative operations continue over the coming days.
Crime
Attorneys Argue Jacob Bard Actions in Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting Were Legally Justified
Attorneys representing Jacob Bard, the man accused in a deadly shooting at Kentucky State University, contend that his actions were legally justified and undertaken in defense of his family amid what they describe as a violent and uncontrolled situation on campus.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, Bard’s legal team from the Indiana-based law firm Danks & Danks asserted that Bard “was completely justified under the law in his use of deadly force.”
Bard is accused of fatally shooting one Kentucky State University student and wounding another during an incident at a campus dormitory.
According to the attorneys’ statement, Bard traveled to Kentucky State University after his younger son reported being attacked on multiple occasions.
The release alleges that on Monday, December 8, a group of approximately 20 to 30 individuals gathered outside the son’s dormitory, some allegedly armed, and began beating on the door. Campus police were reportedly called to respond to the disturbance.
The following morning, Bard and his wife met with Kentucky State University police. While the attorneys stated that officers appeared sincere in their efforts, they claimed it was evident to the family that campus police were “ill-prepared to deal with the out-of-control and violent environment.”
The legal team further alleges that both the university and its police department failed to adequately address what they described as multiple armed and violent felonies against Bard’s sons, ages 18 and 19, as well as other students in the days preceding the shooting.
Those alleged incidents included burglaries and armed assaults.
Later that morning, the family attended a meeting at Young Hall with campus police and a university dean.
According to the release, the meeting left the family convinced that the university would not be able to maintain a safe environment, prompting them to begin removing the son’s belongings from the dormitory.
When the family returned to the residence hall, the attorneys claim that individuals previously involved in the alleged assaults were present, despite assurances they would not be allowed inside.
The statement further alleges that those individuals photographed the family and made verbal threats.
The attorneys contend that, even with two armed Kentucky State University police officers present, a group of 20 to 30 individuals gathered in the dormitory lobby and “violently and viciously attacked” Bard’s son and family members.
According to the release, Bard’s son was slammed into the concrete floor and beaten by multiple people, and the officer on scene allegedly lost control of the situation.
“In the chaos,” the attorneys wrote, Bard attempted to pull attackers off his son but was struck himself. Believing his son to be in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, Bard then drew his firearm and shot two individuals whom the attorneys say were actively assaulting his son.
The legal team also stated that no charges have been filed against others allegedly involved in the confrontation and claimed the Bard family has continued to receive death threats.
The release further alleges that the mother of the deceased student has publicly called for retaliation against Bard’s son and sought assistance from criminal groups—claims that have not been independently verified by authorities.
The case against Bard was presented to a grand jury on December 16.
During a previous court hearing, a detective testified that at least one video reviewed by investigators did not show the shooting victims assaulting Bard’s son.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not issued a final determination regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.