A suburban neighborhood in Columbia, Tennessee, was shaken by violence last weekend when a man shot and killed two of his neighbors, injuring several others in a terrifying rampage. Byron Dean Childers, 46, is now facing serious charges following the deadly incident, although the motives behind his actions remain unclear.
The Shooting Incident
On Saturday afternoon, just after 3 p.m., the Columbia Police Department received reports of a shooting in the 3000 block of Somerset Lane. Officers arrived to find three people had been shot, with one man already dead at the scene. Byron Childers, a resident of the neighborhood, is accused of being the shooter.
Witnesses told police that Childers approached 46-year-old John Bidle, who was standing in front of his home, and shot him multiple times. Childers reportedly stood over Bidle’s body, continuing to shoot while shouting that it was “safe” because he had gotten the “demon from Hell.” Childers then allegedly turned his attention to Stacie Wright, who lived just across the street. She opened her door to investigate the commotion, only to be shot multiple times by the suspect.
The Attack Continues
As the situation grew more chaotic, Amy Bidle, John’s wife, ran to her husband’s aid upon seeing him lying in the street, covered in blood. Childers reportedly grabbed Amy, dragged her away, and assaulted her by scraping her limbs on the asphalt and choking her. He then shoved a vape pen down her throat, punched her in the face, and told her to “calm down.”
Next, Childers allegedly targeted an ice cream truck driven by 47-year-old Mandu Johnson. The suspect fired several shots at Johnson, injuring him in the hip. Childers then attempted to carjack an off-duty Metro Nashville Police Department officer, Jason Lyons, who was also a neighbor. Lyons fought off the attacker, preventing the carjacking before Childers fled the scene.
The Aftermath and Arrest
Police arrived shortly after, and John Bidle was pronounced dead at the scene. Stacie Wright was taken to a nearby hospital, where she later died during surgery. Amy Bidle and Mandu Johnson were treated for their injuries, and Johnson is expected to recover.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Amy Bidle expressed her grief, saying, “I lost my best friend, my partner, my forever person, the father of my child.” She also remembered Stacie Wright as “always bright, smiling, and friendly.”
Byron Childers was later arrested by Columbia police and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault, carjacking, simple assault, and using a firearm in a dangerous felony. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 18.
The community of Somerset Lane in Columbia is still in shock after the violent rampage that claimed the lives of two residents and left others injured. The motives behind Byron Childers’ actions remain unclear, but his violent outburst has deeply impacted the victims’ families and the entire neighborhood. As the case moves forward, the community is left to grieve and seek justice for the lives lost.
