Pallbearers wheel a casket containing the body of David Moore to a waiting hearse at the Stephen D. Posey Funeral Home in North Augusta on Saturday afternoon. Mr. Moore was one of four people shot and killed at the R.E. Phelon Co. in Aiken last Monday.MICHAEL HOLAHAN/Staff

Last Phelon shooting victim buried

Web posted September 22, 1997

 R.E. Phelon's tribute
 Criminals have access to weapons
 A culture of violence
 Security not primed for shootings

By Emily Sollie
Staff Writer

NORTH AUGUSTA -- ``Senseless tragedy'' and ``waste'' were the words used by Rev. Phillip Napier to describe Monday's shooting at R.E. Phelon plant in Aiken.

The Rev. Napier, officiating at the funeral of David Wayne Moore, expressed sorrow and outrage at the tragedy that claimed four lives.

``This has been a tragic week,'' he said, ``not only for this family, but for others. This thing has touched the whole town, the community, just everyone. Everyone has been flabbergasted, if I may use that word. This is senseless, a waste.''

About 100 people came to Stephen D. Posey Funeral Home on Saturday to say goodbye to Mr. Moore, 30, the last of the victims to be buried. He was shot twice while in the tool and die area of the Aiken plant.

Mr. Moore was a tool and die machinist at R.E. Phelon. He was engaged to be married to Kim Newton in March, and, according to his aunt Ruth Stephens, ``wanted to be a father more than anything.''

Arthur Hastings Wise, 43, of North Augusta, has been charged with Mr. Moore's death along with those of Sheryl Wood, Leonard Filyaw and Charles Griffeth.

Mr. Wise, a former Phelon employee, was moved from Aiken Regional Medical Centers to a state prison in Bishopville on Friday. Other charges against him are assault and battery with intent to kill, possession of a pistol while committing a violent crime and second-degree burglary with unlawful entry.

Two of the three employees wounded in the shootings remain in the hospital. John Mucha, 60, and security guard Lt. Stan Vance, 49, were both listed in fair condition at Aiken Regional Hospital Saturday.