GAINESVILLE, GA – An afternoon stroll through a familiar park turned deadly for a Hall County man and his dog, leaving a close-knit family and community grappling with loss.
Terry Loden, 70, was fatally shot Sunday as he walked with his wife, Cheryle, and their dogs at Simpson Park. According to authorities, the quiet outing, a weekly tradition for the Lodens, was shattered when an encounter with another dog walker resulted in violence none could have anticipated.
Investigators say the Lodens’ dog, Jesse, got into a scuffle with a dog belonging to 52-year-old Todd Stalcup. As Loden moved to separate the animals, Stalcup allegedly drew a handgun, shooting Jesse before turning the weapon on Loden.
Moments before the shooting, Loden, who had just celebrated 50 years of marriage with his wife, tried to protect his pet from harm. Witness accounts indicate that after Jesse was shot, Loden questioned Stalcup’s actions, prompting Stalcup to fire again. Loden was struck through his side and collapsed as his wife called for emergency assistance.
“He just looked up at me and said, ‘I love you,’” Cheryle Loden recalled of her husband’s final moments. Despite efforts to render aid, Loden was pronounced dead on his way to a nearby hospital. Jesse, the family’s loyal companion, also perished from his injuries.
Police said the shooter, who lives in Gainesville, left the scene immediately after the violence. Deputies were able to locate and arrest Stalcup about 15 minutes later as he attempted to leave the area.
Stalcup faces a range of serious charges, including malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He is being held without bond as the investigation continues.
Family and friends describe Terry Loden as a devoted husband and a generous man who would go out of his way to help others. Cheryle Loden recounted her husband’s kindness, noting, “He’d give his last penny and do anything for anybody.”
The loss has left the Lodens’ loved ones searching for answers in the wake of a senseless act that cut short regular moments of joy and companionship.
Simpson Park, typically a haven for local residents and dog lovers, has been shaken by the tragedy, reminding many of the fragility of peace even in the most familiar places.
No additional injuries were reported during the incident. The case remains under investigation by Hall County officials as they work to unravel the circumstances that led to the deadly encounter.