A tragic incident unfolded in Georgia this week when a Sunday afternoon stroll turned deadly for a grandfather and his dog. Terry Loden, 70, was fatally shot, along with his beloved pet Jesse, during what should have been a peaceful outing at Simpson Park in Hall County. The alleged shooter, 52-year-old Todd Stalcup, reportedly flew into a violent rage after their dogs began fighting, according to local authorities.

Loden and his wife, Cheryle, were enjoying their regular weekend visit to the park when they encountered Stalcup, a stranger to them. An altercation erupted between the dogs, and Cheryle recounted the harrowing events to local news station WANF. “He was on top of her pulling her off,” she explained, describing how Terry was trying to separate Jesse from Stalcup’s dog. “Then, the man just shot my dog, and Terry stood up and said, ‘Man, what are you doing?’ And he [Stalcup] just shot him.”

The police report states that Stalcup first aimed his gun at Jesse, fatally shooting the dog, before turning the weapon on Terry. Loden was struck through his right side and sadly succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital.

This heart-wrenching incident has left a community in shock, as a simple walk in the park turned into a scene of violence and loss. The Lodens, who had shared 50 years of marriage, are now forever changed by this senseless act. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting as they seek justice for Terry and Jesse.

Police say Stalcup blasted Jesse first before turning his handgun on Terry, who was shot through his right side. Terry died on his way to the hospital.

“When he fell, I just said, ‘I gotta call 911. I gotta call 911.’ And [Stalcup] just said, ‘Yeah, you do that,’” Cheryle Loden told WANF. “He just looked up at me and said, ‘I love you.’ He said, ‘I’m going.’ I said, ‘No, you’re not,’ and I just sat there talking to 911 the whole time.”

Cheryle Loden said that after the shooting, Stalcup began pacing around before walking to his SUV and fleeing. “He drove off,” she recalled.

Deputies took Stalcup, who lives in Gainesville, into custody roughly 15 minutes after the shooting as he was leaving the park, according to police. He was charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

“He was awesome,” Cheryle said about her husband. “He’d give his last penny and do anything for anybody. He was an awesome person.”

Stalcup is currently being held without bond.