BUCKSNORT, October 14(HS): Authorities have released the names of 16 victims of the explosion that leveled the Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) munitions facility in Hickman County on October 10, a blast that left no survivors and devastated the close‑knit community.At a briefing outside AES, Sheriffs Chris Davis (Humphreys County) and Jason Craft (Hickman County) read the names and urged support for the families.
The victims are: Jason Adams, Erick Anderson, Billy Baker, Adam Boatman, Christopher Clark, Mindy Clifton, James Cook, Reyna Gillahan, LaTeisha Mays, Jeremy Moore, Melinda Rainey, Melissa Stanford, Trenton Stewart, Rachel Woodall, Steven Wright, and Donald Yowell.
Officials stressed the victims are presumed dead and that formal remains identification is ongoing.The cause of the blast remains unclear. Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are leading the investigation.
The explosion, which registered as a 1.6‑magnitude earthquake, reduced the plant to rubble and scattered debris across the site.Local officials said the confirmed toll was revised downward after two people initially thought to be on site were located elsewhere.
Sheriff Davis, calling it one of the most devastating incidents of his career, noted the dead include a teacher, a neighbor’s husband, and one of his best friends.
Tributes poured in for several victims:Chemist Donald Yowell lived in nearby Waverly with his wife and son.Reyna Gillahan, mourned by friends and family, was remembered as “loving” and “strong.”Mindy Clifton spent 20 years in corrections before joining AES.LaTeisha Mays, 26, had worked at AES for eight months and was “the glue” of her family.
Rachel Woodall became a production manager about a month before the blast.Jeremy Moore marked 17 years at the company earlier this year.Trenton (“Trent”) Stewart was an AES production worker, a firefighter, and a local pastor.
AES said emergency teams and investigators remain on site and offered condolences to families and the community. Recovery and identification work continues as investigators piece together what triggered the deadly detonation.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
