Hall County, Georgia – A routine Sunday afternoon dog walk ended in tragedy after a Georgia grandfather was fatally shot during a confrontation between two dog owners at a public park, authorities said.
Police say Todd Stalcup, 52, shot and killed Terry Loden, 70, and Loden’s dog following a brief altercation at Simpson Park. The incident unfolded around 3:30 p.m. Sunday, according to a Hall County Sheriff’s Office press release.
What led to the deadly confrontation
Investigators say the encounter began when the dogs belonging to the two men began fighting as they crossed paths on a walking trail. The two men were strangers and had no prior connection, police confirmed.
According to Loden’s wife, Cheryle Loden, her husband immediately tried to separate the animals to prevent anyone from getting hurt.
She told local station that Terry was attempting to pull their dog away when the situation escalated rapidly.
Dog shot first, then grandfather
Cheryle Loden said the argument turned violent without warning.
“He was on top of her pulling her off,” she said, describing Terry’s attempt to restrain the dogs. “About that time, the man just shot my dog, and Terry stood up and said, ‘Man, what are you doing?’ And he just shot him.”
Authorities say Stalcup shot the Lodens’ dog first, then fired at Terry Loden, striking him in the right side. Emergency responders rushed Terry to the hospital, but he died en route.
‘Yeah, you do that’: Wife recalls chilling exchange
In an emotional interview, Cheryle Loden recounted the moments after her husband collapsed.
“When he fell, I just said, ‘I gotta call 911. I gotta call 911,’” she told WANF. “And he just said, ‘Yeah, you do that.’”
She said Terry looked up at her as she spoke with the emergency dispatcher.
“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.”
The couple had been married for 50 years, and Simpson Park was a place they visited every Sunday afternoon with their dogs.
Suspect fled before being arrested
According to Cheryle, Stalcup paced briefly after the shooting before walking back to his SUV and leaving the park.
“He drove off,” she said.
Deputies located and arrested Stalcup roughly 15 minutes later as he was leaving the area, police said. He lives in Gainesville, Georgia.
Charges and custody status
Stalcup has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
He is currently being held without bond at the Hall County Jail.
Remembering the victim
Cheryle Loden described her husband as a generous and deeply kind man.
“He was awesome,” she said. “He’d give his last penny and do anything for anybody. He was an awesome person.”
Family members say Terry loved his wife, his dogs, and their weekly walks together, a simple routine that ended in sudden violence.
Community safety concerns
The shooting has raised renewed concerns about gun violence in public spaces and how quickly everyday disputes can escalate into deadly encounters. Law enforcement officials urged residents to disengage from confrontations and call authorities when conflicts arise, especially in crowded community parks.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue reviewing witness statements and forensic evidence.
If you have information related to the incident, authorities encourage you to contact the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
