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Two People Dead In Murder-Suicide At Atmore Store
September 27, 2008
(Updated) A relationship gone bad ended with a murder-suicide Friday morning at an Atmore discount store, a day after authorities responded to domestic dispute at the couple’s home.
Atmore Police say Justin Tyshawn Clark, 22, entered Hudson’s Dirt Cheap just before 11:00 Friday morning to speak to his girlfriend and mother of his two children, Raphia Shardae Arnold, 21. A Dirt Cheap manager asked him to leave because she was working, police say. He exited the store and returned seconds later and requested that another cashier give him change for a $100 bill so he could give Arnold money to buy clothes for the children. Clark and Arnold are pictured left in this undated photo.
At that point, Clark then fired one shot, hitting Arnold in the head. He then shot himself in the head.
An Atmore police officer, Sgt. Darrell Holsonback, was outside the store as the shootings occurred. He had stopped near Arnold’s vehicle outside the store because it was parked in a fire lane. While he was exiting his patrol car, he heard gunshots inside the store.
Inside the store, he found Arnold lying on the floor near the front door with a gunshot wound to the head. Clark was found about 15 feet away between two checkout counters at front of the store with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Relatives say she had told him on Thursday that their relationship was over, and officers were called to their home on a domestic dispute.
The dispute reportedly started after Clark took Arnold’s cell phone away from her and a friend called police. He returned the phone with a deputy present, and no report was filed. Arnold and Clark had two children together from their long term relationship. Arnold’s car, which was in the parking lot outside the store, had a personalized tag with their couple’s initials “SA-JC”.
Relatives say the couple’s two young children were with other relatives in Georgia at the time of the shooting.
Atmore Police recovered a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol and two spent shell casings at the scene.
There were several customers and other employees in the store at the time of the shooting. One customer was transported to Atmore Community Hospital complaining of hearing problems from the gunshots.
Hudson’s Dirt Cheap is located in the Adams Plaza Shopping Center on Lindberg Avenue, next door to a popular Mexican restaurant. It is located about 700 yards north of North Escambia, Florida.
Counselors from the Southwest Alabama Department of Mental Health were called to the scene to counsel witnesses and co-workers.
Click here for a gallery of raw, unedited NorthEscambia.com photographs from the scene.
Pictured above: Two people died in an apparent murder-suicide at the Dirt Cheap Store in Atmore, Alabama, this morning. Pictured below: Escambia County Sheriff Grover Smith and an unidentified Alabama State Trooper outside the Dirt Cheap Store as they talk to Investigator Chuck Brooks inside the Atmore store. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
28 Responses to “Two People Dead In Murder-Suicide At Atmore Store”
i miss my parents till this day . still don’t know why it happened.
i worked with justin at standard furniture and it will soon be a year and it is still so hard to believe .i saw him the day before and he didnt seem like anything was wrong but you never know what goes on in a persons home .he was a sweet ,funny ,down to earth person who a lot of people cared about . i think every day what if i could have talked to him or given him some encouraging words to help him deal my heart just goes out to both families and little harmony and justin jr. my prayers are with you.
May god blessed each and every one .my second grandbaby is resting in peace she is gone to be with her lord which is jesus .the lord took one and gave kim two precious one a girl and boy .and they will be love by they grandmother kim and greatgrandmother mary and also their grandmother faye and uncle, aunt,cousin,and friend,and many,many, many,more. may god bless each and every one of in the absent of our love one shadrae and justin
My heart goes out to Kim and her family for this great and senseless loss of life. I am a close friend of Kim and her children, I only knew Shardae’s sisters and brother that lived with their mother Kim in Georgia and i love them to death. I met Shardae once after she had her baby girl when she came to visit her mother and she was just as sweet and mannerable as the other children,I WOULD JUST LIKE SAY THESE WORDS TO KIM, I love you to death and as the good lord cet me live I will always be there for you because I loss a cousi and Mother in similar fashion and I must add that time does not heal anything its God sweetheart, He is the master healer and he will hold your and and walk with you to the end.I have played this tragedy over and over in my mind until it has wrecked my brain but to you Kim,You have been through so much and i know this that’s why i always try to encourage you whenever we talk. i know this is a great loss for you baby, but also know that on this day Shardae is in paradise and she have no more worries, Only god know why she had to leave so early and that’s why he may have left you 2 beautiful grandchildren and to Shardae they will be fine and they will be surrounded by love at all times. But to you Shardae know that Anthony loves you enjoy your self with the lord and tell my mother Luevenia and my father George Mack Harris i love them, To the family of Kim and Shardae I love yall and may God keep you all close to him. Finally, to Kim and Family I would have loved to come but know that you are all in my prayers but its just too much for me to bear right now because of the pain that’s still inside me due to my loss, bu I will be there in support of you all and flowers will be sent on my behalf, Kim i love you and i don’t care who knows Ha! Ha! and If God is willing i will see you soon and talk to you later.
my heart goes out to the families but only god knows best and we will never understand u just got to be ready and praid up my god be with those babies keep them and the grandparents that have to raise them
I am so verry sorry for all the families. My heart goes out to everyone each and everyday. Shardae and Justin may GOD keep you safe and close to him. My GOD touch your children and familes . Your generation will go on through your chidren and their children and so on. GOD have something good for them. GOD give us the courage to bare all things .My prayers go out to everyone all we need is love and faith . I love each and every one of you .from orlando florida
WE LOVE YOU SHARDAE AND YOU WILL BE TRULY MISSED
God knows all. many questions have been asked but only God knows. Shardee and i graduated 2 gether but who knew what tradgedy would follow. Shardee was a wonderful person with a bubbly personality. My heart goes out to her family but most of all her two children. it was really hard to execpt the news but one thing thats very true is that God only takes the best. May God be with her and her family in this time of need. May God bless all.
Tamara Williams c/o “06″
my heart is very heavy for both families because you will never no just what the devil put in his mind to make him snap that way .only God knows.and because he is our strength we have to be prayfull.i want kim to know that i cant say that i know how it feels to lose a child ,because i dont know.i can only say that my heart is with you we have been friends for a long time and its hard to face life as it is today even for me because i looked at this as it could be me in this same moment that you are in today .i pray that God will give you the courage to move forward . i can imagine that it want be easy. but if we keep our head held high and just remember that God never makes a mistake .this day was planned from the day she was conceived into your wound.and God knows just how much we can bare.it dont make it any easier,i know it dont, but time heals all wounds.much love for you and i was here for you before this and i will be there for you as time passes on.JUST CALL ME IF YOU EVER NEED TO TALK.
your sister and friend, Vickie N.
To Kim and here family in Atmore you are surely in my prayers, Words can not express how I feel right now and surely I can’t even imagine what you are going through, but I know a man (JESUS) that can do anything but fail and he has his arms around you and your family right now and he won’t let you down.
Just keep your hands in the MASTERS hand and he will guide you and your family through this storm.
** Kim Always remember _
*THIS TOO SHALL PASS and I Can do all things through CHRIST that strengthen
me !!
Love & Sympathy,
Mrs. Barbara Walker
Wal-mart / Tucker Georgia
In the last days, perilous times shall come Jesus said. If people cant see the approach of Jesus return, and the increased lawlessness and violence, they must simply choose not to see it. Hurricanes, floods, droughts, tornadoes, terrorist attacks, financial distress, crime in even the smallest communities. To those of you who are saved I say “Look up, for your redemtion draws near”. To those of you who are not, I say “flee from the wrath to come”. Turn to Jesus now with a sense of urgency. Your eternal soul is at stake. I pray for the families.
hi its so sad to hear somthing let this in your home town. all we can do is pray and hope that the family make it threw the hard times. but the whole time remeber that god is on your side. he will never leave you nor will he forsake you. i love yall. but god loves yall more.
WHAT A TRAGEDY. THIS IS SO HEART -BREAKING. AS MANY PEOPLE KNOW THIS IS A STORE I ENTER AT LEAST 3-4 TIMES A WEEK. WHEN I HEARD THE NEWS I WAS AT WORK AND A GROUP OF LADIES HAD CAME IN AND TOLD US WHAT HAD HAPPENED. TIMES LIKE THIS IS WHAT MAKES US REALIZE THAT SINFUL WAYS ARE AROUND US ALL. I PRAY THAT BOTH FAMILIES FIND COMFORT. IT WILL COME, IT JUST TAKES TIME. IF GOD BRINGS YOU TO IT, HE’LL BRING YOU THROUGH IT. WHEN THINGS HAPPEN LIKE THIS PEOPLE ALWAYS QUESTION GOD. YES, I BELIEVE THERE IS A SAVING, COMFORTING, AND LOVING GOD. WE’LL NEVER KNOW THE “WHY’S” UNTIL WE MEET HIM. NO, I DO NOT BELIEVE GOD ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN (SOME PEOPLE WONDER WHY A LOVING GOD WOULD ALLOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN) . I BELIEVE THAT SATAN IS STILL ROAMING THIS EARTH AND HE STILL SITS ON EVERYONES SHOULDERS AT TIMES AND TAUNTS AND NAGGS AT US TO DO THINGS OF HIS WILL. WE NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING THROUGH – SOMEONES HEAD AND WHAT THEY ARE GOING THRUOGH. THATS WHY WE ALL NEED TO PRAY FOR OURSELVES AND OUR NEIGHBORS. FAMILY MEMBERS , DON’T BLAME EACH OTHER. THERE IS TWO SMALL CHILDREN, THAT ARE LEFT WITHOUT A MOMMY AND A DADDY, TO LOVE OR LOVE THEM. IT’S NOT THERE FAULT ; LIKE IT IS NOT NO ONE ELSES. PULL TOGETHER AND LOVE THESE CHILDREN AND TEACH THEM TO LOVE AND NOT HATE. SPEAK GOOD AROUND THEM AND NOT EVIL. I DIDN’T KNOW THESE MAN AND WOMEN; BUT WHAT I HAVE READ AND HEARD THEY BOTH LOVED THEIR CHILDREN.SO TEACH THEM RIGHT FROM WRONG AND PRAY WHEN THEY ARE OLDER THAT THEY WILL LIVE TO WHAT YOU HAVE TAUGHT THEM, AND THEY HOLD THERE HEADS HIGH AND MAKE GOOD DECISONS– NOT BAD ONES. MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALL AND MAY WE ALL LEARN TO MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS. LOVE ONE ANOTHER.♥♥♥♥♥
My heart goes out the families because i knew the both of them .My prayers go out to the kids and both of the families.
I knew both of the families. i was in the store at itme of the when it happen i was walking up to the register for her to check me out but i send Justin walk up to her as well but i stop cause i thought that he wanted to talked to her. then he look up and like stop then i looked up and all i send was when he pull up the gun and shot her in the neck and i could’ t move and then he turn the gun on hi self i she looked up at me and wanted to say something to me but she couldn’t cause she had shot and the blood was coming out real fast n she start to walk to the door that when the lady that was with at work with grab her and all i could say is lord somebody help her please and then i thought to myself like me call my cousin and i told her to come up to the store asap right now. im sorry about both of them that a tragedy for the both of the family but just pray to God and ask Him to take of the children and pray will help. I’M SORRY SO SORRY I COULDN’T HELP!!!!!
My daughter was in the store. She stated that she had never been so scared in her life. She didn’t know if the man was still shooting, or what was going on.She along with others were trapped in the store. They first encountered a locked door, which they managed to get open, then they ran up some stairs in hopes of finding a way out, only to find stairs leading back into the same room.
Dirt Cheap along with Code Enforcement should be reprimanded for putting the lives of others at risk. What if he was on a shooting spree? What if a fire had started in the front of the store? How many lives would have been lost?
It was bad enough to have been there, but the fear of not being able to escape was even more frightening and horrible.
If there aren’t regulations in place to provide exits in case of an emergency, there should be.
me and shardae graduated in the class of 2006 and also our youngest chid was born on the same day in fact she brought the beautiful little boy to my room to see my little girl when i look back to that night we were put in the hospital to have our children my heart goes out to her because she went through so much pain having him but she did not mind becouse she loved him and her kids with all her heart. ever since that happend i have been saying what it ,what if ,what if but thats is a question only God knows and i say to both famlies look to the lord which comes your strength.my prayer will be filled with the request of strength, courage, forgiveness ,love and most of all faith with knowing that God will give u no more then you can bare and know that he will never leave you in your most needing time may God be with both familes.with lots of love Ashley Thomas
That was really sad story.
My neice was in the store when this tragedy took place. She was so scared she got sick to her stomach. She couldn’t get out of the store so she found a place to hide with a pregnant woman (who was even more afraid). Aren’t there laws against that? FIre Codes? City Codes? More people could easily have been killed.
Shame on Dirt Cheap and the City of Atmore, County Code Enforcement, Fire Depatment, etc., for allowing those customers to be in fear for their lives because they knew they were trapped inside with an angry gunman.
I was there with approximately 3 or 4 others in the back trying to get out and there was no exit.
My heart goes out to the families of these two young people and their two young children. Prayer is what both families need right now.
this is so tragic. it’s hard to believe that this can happen in atmore. i went to school & graduated with shardae. i actually just saw & talked to her in dirt cheap the day before this happened. i can’t really even believe it. i am keeping her family & definitely the 2 babies in my prayers. now they have to grow up without & mommy & a daddy. =(
pray.
What a senseless thing to happen!!!! Our hearts go out to the precious babies that are left without their parents……might I add,at the hand of the daddy that was supposed to take care of them and their mother!!!!!
That is just so sad, and those poor little babies.
My heart goes out to both families. May God keep them strong. I will keep them all in my prayers. I will truly miss the both, especially Shardae. I use to work with her at Burger King. We all need to pray. The devil is out to steal, kill and destroy. Our young are leaving the world rapidly, it’s not just the olders ones. This younger generation is dying also. And you don’t have to be sick to die either. Watch, and Pray, because we are living and the last and evil days. Jesus is coming!
What a tragedy! Thoughts and prayers go out to the other two victims–the children!
it is so horrible when something like this happens.my prayers and thoughts are with the family’s who are involved is this
Jesus be with both families.