The rural Tennessee community of Bucksnort is reeling after a catastrophic explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems (AES) claimed the lives of 16 people last week, shattering families and sending shockwaves through a region where nearly everyone knows someone affected. On Monday, October 13, 2025, authorities publicly identified the victims, as investigators braced for a long, painstaking search to determine what caused the deadly blast at the munitions factory.
The explosion erupted early in the morning of October 10, 2025, at the AES plant, which sits on a sprawling 1,300-acre complex about 60 miles southwest of Nashville. The blast was so powerful it was felt more than 20 miles away, leaving a smoldering wreck of twisted metal, burned-out vehicles, and heartbreak in its wake. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the force of the explosion scattered evidence over miles, complicating the already difficult investigation. "It's almost like putting a puzzle back together," said Matthew Belew, acting special agent in charge at the ATF, during a news conference. "We have worked closely with AES to look at pictures, blueprints, any of the identifying things that were in the building. And then we slowly, methodically start to put some of that stuff together."
Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the explosion, and with hazardous materials and extensive damage at the site, the process of clearing the area and identifying remains is moving slowly. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) reported that rapid DNA testing is being used to help identify victims, but the devastation has made even this process painstaking. As TEMA explained in a statement, "Once a loved one has been positively identified—usually through DNA comparison with a known close relative—the county medical examiner will issue a death certificate."
At a somber news briefing outside the AES facility, Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis and Hickman County Sheriff Jason Craft read aloud the names of the 16 presumed dead. The victims were: Jason Adams, Erick Anderson, Billy Baker, Adam Boatman, Christopher Clark, Mindy Clifton, James Cook, Reyna Gillahan, LaTeisha Mays, Jeremy Moore, Melinda Rainey, Melissa Stanford, Trenton Stewart, Rachel Woodall, Steven Wright, and Donald Yowell. Sheriff Davis, his voice heavy with emotion, emphasized the need for the community to "take care" of the families left behind. "It's just small county, rural America, where everybody knows each other and everybody's gonna take care of each other," he said, according to the Associated Press.
For the families and friends of the victims, the loss is incalculable. The tragedy has left a mark on every corner of the community, with churches canceling regular services for prayer and vigils, and neighbors gathering to mourn together. One of those lost was Trent Stewart, the beloved pastor at The Log Church in Waverly, as well as a firefighter for the local Department of Public Safety. His fiancée, Katy Stover, wrote on social media, "He made me laugh until I couldn’t breathe and he was truly my best friend, my soulmate, and my person." The church was packed on Sunday as congregants gathered to honor Stewart and the others lost. "It brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes to see how many people showed up to honor Trent and all the other families," Stover shared.
Reyna Gillahan, another victim, was remembered by her daughter Rosalina as "a beautiful soul—loving, strong, and always thinking of others before herself." In the aftermath, Rosalina began fundraising to help pay off her mother’s home, hoping to keep it in the family. The outpouring of support was echoed across the community, as friends and strangers alike contributed to various fundraisers for those left behind.
Personal stories have emerged for nearly every victim, highlighting the deep connections in this tight-knit area. Mindy Clifton, for example, had worked for 20 years in corrections before moving from Florida to Tennessee for her job at AES. Her former colleague Matt Reinhart wrote on Facebook, "During my 30-year career in corrections, I had the privilege of working with many outstanding individuals. One of the very best was Mindy Clifton." LaTeisha Mays, just 26, had worked at AES for only eight months. Her family described her as "the glue" that held them together, and friends remembered her as always smiling and caring for others.
Jeremy Moore, who died just ten days before his 38th birthday, had celebrated 17 years with the company. His mother, Ava Hinson, posted online after his death was confirmed, writing, "Well, I heard it directly from Sheriff Davis's mouth so I guess I have to start believing it. Jeremy Moore 10-20-87 to 10-10-25. Rest in peace my sweet baby boy." Rachel Woodall, who had only started as a production manager at AES a month before the explosion, was also among those lost. She was a McEwen High School graduate and had deep roots in the area.
The impact of the tragedy extends beyond the immediate families. The AES plant, which specializes in the development, manufacture, handling, and storage of explosives for military, aerospace, and commercial demolition markets, is a major employer in the region. With 115 employees, many locals saw it as a rare opportunity for well-paying work close to home. Entry-level jobs at AES pay between $19 and $21 an hour, requiring only a high school diploma and some mechanical aptitude. Vincent Coates, a deacon at the nearby Maple Valley Baptist Church, explained to the Associated Press, "If you don’t want to travel very far, that was one of the better paying jobs that was pretty close and be able to stay within driving distance of the house. And not have to spend 45 minutes on the interstate getting to Franklin or an hour getting to Nashville."
Economist Ernie Goss of Creighton University noted that the relatively high pay likely reflected the risks inherent in the job. "When you put it all together, those jobs were pretty desirable in the sense that those workers should have been compensated for the danger there," Goss said. For many, AES was more than just a workplace; it was a cornerstone of the community, providing stability and opportunity in a rural region where such prospects are rare.
As the investigation continues, the community of Bucksnort and surrounding towns are left to grapple with the enormity of the loss. Vigils have been held, prayers offered, and tributes posted across social media, all reflecting the deep bonds that tie this small community together. As Pastor Tim Farris of Hurricane Free Will Baptist Church told WTVF following a vigil, "These families ... their kids would play ball together, go to school together." The sense of unity is palpable, even as grief remains raw.
With the cause of the explosion still unknown and the process of identifying remains ongoing, the people of Bucksnort cling to each other for support, determined to honor the memory of those lost and to rebuild—one careful step at a time.
