BREAKING: All 16 Confirmed Dead in Accurate Energetic Systems Explosion as Investigators Continue Search for Answers
HICKMAN COUNTY, TENN. — In a tragic and somber update, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis confirmed Saturday that all 16 individuals inside the Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) facility during Friday’s massive explosion have been confirmed dead. The announcement was made during an emotional press conference held outside the gates of the destroyed plant, as families and an entire rural Tennessee community mourns what has become one of the deadliest industrial incidents in state history.
“This is more devastating than what we initially feared,” Sheriff Davis said, fighting back emotion. “We’ve combed through nearly every square inch of that facility with over 300 personnel, and I can now confirm there were no survivors.”
The blast occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m. on Friday, October 10, at the AES manufacturing facility near Bucksnort, about 50 miles west of Nashville. The company, which produces military-grade explosives, demolition materials, and aerospace products, operates on a vast 1,300-acre site containing multiple high-risk production and testing buildings. One such structure, Building 602, is believed to have been the epicenter of the catastrophic explosion.
Victims Identified as Community Mourns
Among those confirmed dead are:
-
Trent Stewart, pastor at The Log Church in Hickman County
-
Melissa Dawn Stanford
-
Chris Clark
-
Reyna Gillahan
-
Erick Moore
-
Jeremy Moore
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the remaining victims, pending DNA confirmation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). Due to the severe conditions of the remains, rapid DNA testing is being used, with support from federal and state forensic teams.
Jeremy Moore’s mother, Ava Hinson, shared the anguish of waiting:
“The last I heard from him, he had just dropped off his daughter and was headed to work,” she said through tears. “It’s unbelievable — the not knowing. I don’t want bad news, but at this point, I’d almost feel better if I just knew.”
In the wake of Pastor Trent Stewart’s death, his church has canceled Sunday services, instead inviting the community to gather in prayer.
“Our motto has always been ‘come as you are,’” the church wrote in a public statement. “Tomorrow, that includes bringing your hurts, your grief, and your brokenness to the feet of Jesus.”
Investigation Ongoing: No Cause Yet Determined
Sheriff Davis stated that while all 16 people inside the building have been accounted for, the investigation into how and why the explosion occurred is far from over. The site is currently being treated as a potential crime scene, and officials have not ruled out foul play.
“Can I say we’re going to rule out foul play? We can’t answer that yet,” Davis said. “That might be days, weeks, or even months before we can.”
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has deployed its elite National Response Team to the site, bringing in bomb technicians, fire investigators, chemists, and engineers. The team is best known for investigating national tragedies such as the Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 Pentagon attack.
“Right now, our priority is to ensure the area is safe,” said ATF Supervisory Special Agent Guy McCormick. “Once that’s complete, our team will begin a thorough analysis to determine the origin and cause of the explosion.”
The TBI and local emergency management agencies are also on site, as is the State Emergency Operations Center, which remains at Level 4 – Elevated status. More than 300 personnel from multiple agencies have been involved in the response.
Controlled Detonations to Continue at Site
Officials have warned that controlled detonations will continue periodically in order to safely dispose of remaining unstable materials within the blast zone. Residents will be given at least 30 minutes’ notice via official social media channels before each detonation occurs.
Authorities continue to stress that there is no current threat to public safety, but the area remains restricted to all but authorized personnel.
Family Assistance and Mental Health Resources
A Family Assistance Center remains open to provide support for loved ones and next of kin. Officials are urging anyone struggling with grief or trauma to reach out to counselors or contact the national mental health crisis line by calling or texting 988.
“This isn’t just a workplace tragedy — it’s a community tragedy,” said Davis. “Some of these folks grew up here. They raised families here. They went to church here. It’s going to take time for all of us to process this.”
Statement from AES
Accurate Energetic Systems released a public statement following the confirmation of fatalities:
“At approximately 7:45 a.m. this morning, there was a tragic accident at our facility. Emergency response teams and investigative agencies remain on scene, and the situation is under active investigation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, coworkers, and community members affected by this incident. We extend our gratitude to all first responders who continue to work tirelessly under difficult conditions. We will provide updates as more verified information becomes available.”
The Road Ahead
With the search for survivors now turned into a recovery and investigative effort, authorities acknowledge that the full scope of what happened at AES will take time to unravel.
“This is going to be a long process,” Davis said. “We owe it to these families and this community to get to the bottom of this. To get the answers they deserve. And to make sure that this never happens again.”
As of now, the focus remains on honoring the memory of the 16 lives lost, bringing clarity to their loved ones, and making sense of the destruction that took them far too soon.
Names of the Confirmed Victims (As Released So Far):
-
Trent Stewart
-
Melissa Dawn Stanford
-
Chris Clark
-
Reyna Gillahan
-
Erick Moore
-
Jeremy Moore
(Additional names will be released as identification is confirmed by TBI)
Leave a Reply