Two funeral services were held for Rexine Rene McGruder, 21, of Copperas Cove, who died in her home last Thursday. A joint service with Gary Hayward, her fiancée, was held Saturday at Harper-Talasek Chapel. A second service was held Sunday at Holy Family Catholic Church. Rexine and Gary (who were engaged) were buried side by side after a private ceremony in Marshall, Texas.
Born Oct. 20, 1965, in Scranton, Pa., McGruder had lived in the Fort Hood area since 1977. She was a 1983 graduate of Copperas Cove High School where she was a member of the Christian Youth Club and was involved in track and basketball. She was a 1985 graduate of Central Texas College and was enrolled at Texas Tech University.
She is survived by her mother,
Elfriede McGruder of Copperas
Cove; three sisters, Petra McGruder of Houston and Antoinette and Jujonja "J.J."
McGruder, both of Copperas Cove; her paternal grandmother, Ellie C. McGruder of
Bessmer, Ala.; and her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Hofer of
Lagenbieber, West Germany.
Gary Lynn Hayward, 21, of Killeen, was pronounced dead-on-arrival last Thursday at Darnall Community Hospital. Funeral services were held at Harper-Talasek Chapel in Killeen on Saturday. He was buried at Antioch Cemetery in Marshall.
Born Sept. 21, 1964, at Fort Reilly, Kan., Hayward had lived in the area since 1982 and was a 1983 graduate of Ellison High School. He attended Texas Tech School and Central Texas College. He was employed by Thom McAn in the Killeen Mall.
Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jake Hayward, Jr.
of Killeen; two sisters, Jacqueline Cousin of Killeen, and Veronica Alexander of
Duncanville; brother Nathan, his paternal grandparents, Preston and Mary Brown of Karnack; and
his maternal grandparents, Leon and Mabel Rivers, also of Karnack.
Shooting leaves three dead
By ELLEN NIELSON
A domestic disturbance late Wednesday night at 307 Sherman Avenue claimed three
lives and left two others injured. Copperas Cove police are investigating the shooting incident in which Julius
McGruder, 45, opened fire in the residence at 11:42 p.m., killing his
20-year-old daughter Rexine and her boyfriend, 21-year-old Gary Hayward of
Killeen. He then apparently turned the gun on himself, police report. McGruder also wounded his wife, Alfriede, 46, and his 16-year-old daughter,
Antoinette. The youngest daughter, 11-year-old J.J., was not injured as she hid
in a closet during the shooting spree.
Rexine and McGruder were both determined dead at the scene. Hayward was
pronounced dead upon arrival at Darnell Army Community Hospital.
Apparently, the suspect, his estranged wife and the two older daughters were
having a discussion in the kitchen about the couple's divorce when an argument
broke out.
McGruder reportedly pulled a .38-caliber Chief's Special and shot Rexine once in
the chest. Police said she went into the bedroom and tried to call for help, but
died before relaying a message. Antoinette went to help her sister while Mrs. McGruder and Hayward struggled to
get the gun from McGruder. The two were allegedly shot at that time. Hayward was
then shot a second time, police report.
According to police, McGruder then moved to the bedroom where Rexine and
Antoinette were and shot the younger girl. Rexine, though already dead, was shot
again in the leg.
Cove detective, Sgt. Jonathan Cella, said Antoinette pretended to be dead but
kept the telephone underneath her, relaying a message call for help to the
operator. The operator then called the police. Cella explained this is
"probably' what saved her life. Mrs. McGruder and Antoinette were listed in good condition Friday at Darnall.
Police rule on shootings. Last Wednesday's shooting incident in which three people were killed and two others injured has been ruled a double-murder/suicide by the Copperas Cove Police Department, said Community Relations Officer Dennis James. The incident occurred at 307 Sherman Street after an argument started between Julius and Alfriede McGruder over their divorce. Julius, 45, shot his 20-year-old daughter Rexine and her boyfriend, Gary Hayward, 21, of Killeen, to death before turning the gun on Alfriede, his 16-year-old daughter, Antoinette, and then himself. Although the autopsy on McGruder's body has not been completed, Cove police believe alcohol was involved.