On September 22, 2023, 39-year-old Larry Eugene Lawrence of Queen City, Texas, died after being struck in the chest by a .22 caliber rifle that discharged while he was placing groceries into the back seat of a customer’s vehicle in Linden. Lawrence, who worked at Crump’s Food Center and was helping load groceries, had been petting a dog that was in the vehicle when the firearm discharged. Witnesses began resuscitative efforts and paramedics continued care, but Lawrence was pronounced dead at a nearby helipad site.

Linden Police Chief David Dulude said the shooting appeared accidental but an investigation was underway to determine how the rifle discharged. The store’s owner, Chris Spencer, posted that the dog may have stepped on the rifle and caused it to fire, though that detail was not confirmed by law enforcement. A GoFundMe created by the store owners raised funds to help the family; funeral services were held September 28, 2023, at Hanner Funeral Chapel with burial at Beech Creek Cemetery.

Larry Lawrence was born September 4, 1984, in Atlanta, Texas, and was a member of Church on the Rock in Texarkana. He enjoyed bowling and watching sports and was mourned by family, friends, coworkers and the local community. If anyone witnessed the incident or has information about how the firearm discharged, please share what is known.