Hundreds are expected to turn out Sunday afternoon in Carthage to attend a public memorial service at Pinelake.

So many are expected, in fact, that the nursing home wants people who will need to park nearby to come early. Parking at the facility and along the roadside in that area is limited, the center said.

The service, which will begin at 3 p.m., will remember those who died March 29. Seven elderly residents and a nurse were shot to death that Sunday morning before a Carthage policeman, Cpl. Justin Garner -- responding to frantic 911 calls -- stopped the shooter with a single bullet in a gunfight in a hallway of the facility.

The Moore County Grand Jury earlier this week indicted Robert Kenneth Stewart on eight counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and other charges. Stewart is being held without bond and kept at Central Prison under a restraining order.

The service will take place near the flagpole in front of Pinelake Health and Rehabilitation Center on Pinehurst Avenue in Carthage. Carthage Police Chief Chris McKenzie has been asked to raise the flag before lowering it to half staff in memory of those who died and to honor those individuals whose courage saved countless others. Garner is expected to attend.

The administration and staff of Pinelake have invited the public. They have made arrangements for those attending to park in the lot adjacent to the nearby Moore County Health Department and Agriculture Center buildings. That lot is down the road on the other side of Lake Luke Marion. Shuttles will be available for transportation to the Pinelake facility.

The weather forecast looks good for Sunday, with clear skies. However, in the event of inclement weather, the memorial service will take place in the Moore County Agriculture Extension building. If it is held in that building, seating will necessarily be limited to Pinelake residents, staff and families associated with the tragedy.

The North Carolina Health Care Facilities Association has announced establishment of a Carthage Crisis Assistance Fund. The goal of the fund is to receive donations to assist victims of the shooting.

Donations to the fund should go to Carthage Crisis Assistance Fund, North Carolina Healthcare Facilities Association, 5109 Bur Oak Circle, Raleigh, N.C., 27612.

Contact John Chappell at 783-5841 or by e-mail at jchappell@thepilot.com.