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Families remember murder victims
By Alison Walker: editor@terrelltribune.com
The two years that have passed since the brutal murder of two employees at the Terrell Pizza Hut may seem like a distant memory to some, but to the families of the victims, it seems like just yesterday.
Manager Patricia Oferoksy and delivery driver Steve Mitcheltree were brutally slain a late-night robbery on Sept. 3, 2006.
Family members gathered outside the vacant Moore Avenue restaurant Sunday to pay respect to their loved ones by hanging a banner they hope will serve as a reminder to the public to help bring the killers to justice.
Law enforcement officers believe the incident was carried out by a group of individuals that included a former employee who was angry for being terminated.
In the weeks following the incident, Terrell Police Service officers arrested four suspects including two individuals who were employees at the restaurant at the time of the shooting. All were later released after authorities said they had insufficient evidence to hold them.
In November, 19-year-old Anthony Holliman, a suspect in the shooting, was indicted on charges of murder and attempted murder in Cleveland, Ohio.
Family members said the last two years have been emotionally draining.
“We are still in mourning. We still don’t have any closure,” said Ms. Burchfield, Oferosky’s sister.
Family members said despite the setbacks they have encountered since the incident, they are vowing to remain positive and do everything they can to bring their loved ones’ killers to justice.
“They still have their freedom, but we do not,” Burchfield said.
Survivors said they are constantly reminded of the brutality of the crime and the many lives that were forever changed by the incident.
“The longer this goes on, the more anxious we are to get this behind us,” Burchfield said.
Family members said they are appreciative of the generosity of Schepp’s Dairy and the American National Bank, both of which have put up reward money for information leading to the arrests of individuals responsible for the crime. However, they remain puzzled by Pizza Hut officials who have not responded to their inquiries and have not put up any reward money in connection with the incident.
Burchfield said the survivors of both employees still believe someone in the community may be able to provide information to authorities that would help them solve the case.
“Pat and Steven desire to have justice and the people deserve to be behind bars,” Burchfield said.
Anyone with information about the crime should contact Capt. Richard Peavy at TPS.
Manager Patricia Oferoksy and delivery driver Steve Mitcheltree were brutally slain a late-night robbery on Sept. 3, 2006.
Family members gathered outside the vacant Moore Avenue restaurant Sunday to pay respect to their loved ones by hanging a banner they hope will serve as a reminder to the public to help bring the killers to justice.
Law enforcement officers believe the incident was carried out by a group of individuals that included a former employee who was angry for being terminated.
In the weeks following the incident, Terrell Police Service officers arrested four suspects including two individuals who were employees at the restaurant at the time of the shooting. All were later released after authorities said they had insufficient evidence to hold them.
In November, 19-year-old Anthony Holliman, a suspect in the shooting, was indicted on charges of murder and attempted murder in Cleveland, Ohio.
Family members said the last two years have been emotionally draining.
“We are still in mourning. We still don’t have any closure,” said Ms. Burchfield, Oferosky’s sister.
Family members said despite the setbacks they have encountered since the incident, they are vowing to remain positive and do everything they can to bring their loved ones’ killers to justice.
“They still have their freedom, but we do not,” Burchfield said.
Survivors said they are constantly reminded of the brutality of the crime and the many lives that were forever changed by the incident.
“The longer this goes on, the more anxious we are to get this behind us,” Burchfield said.
Family members said they are appreciative of the generosity of Schepp’s Dairy and the American National Bank, both of which have put up reward money for information leading to the arrests of individuals responsible for the crime. However, they remain puzzled by Pizza Hut officials who have not responded to their inquiries and have not put up any reward money in connection with the incident.
Burchfield said the survivors of both employees still believe someone in the community may be able to provide information to authorities that would help them solve the case.
“Pat and Steven desire to have justice and the people deserve to be behind bars,” Burchfield said.
Anyone with information about the crime should contact Capt. Richard Peavy at TPS.
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hope wrote on Sep 5, 2008 3:23 PM: