Shopping center shooting appears to be suicide

A man found dead on Dec. 26 outside a Scruggs Road shopping center has been identified as John Lewis Hammock, according to the Franklin County Sheriff's Department.

Lt. Steve McGuire said Hammock, a 71-year-old Hardy resident, was a long-time, well-known county resident and was known to friends as "Buddy."

McGuire said the department received a phone call at 4:04 a.m. on Dec. 26 to the Lake Plaza in Moneta, the shopping center where Joe's Pizza and Poofy Pets Boutique are located.

"The caller advised that there was an older man that was in a vehicle with what appeared to be blood all over his shirt," said McGuire.

Billy Ferguson, Franklin County's public safety operations chief, said Hammock was dead on arrival.

"We're investigating what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound," said McGuire. We cannot definitively say that without final information from the medical examiners office."

McGuire said the medical examiners office sent out for a toxicology report, which could take four to six weeks.

Hammock's obituary lists his immediate survivors as "life-long mate" Pat Hammock, three children and three grandchildren. The family held a get-together to "Celebrate his Life" on Saturday, Jan. 2.

-- Laurie Edwards