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(Photos by Henry Frederick). Hope Tinsley-Whitford, 42, of Ormond Beach, pays her respects by kneeling before a make-shift shrine at the Rockin' Ranch in Ormond Beach for New Year's Day murder victim Keith "Shorty" Roberts, 36, of South Daytona. He tried to flee from the alleged gunman, Christian Pursley, 37, of Ormond Beach. With the victim in his pick-up truck was Pursley's estranged wife, Shannon. In the inset photo is a picture of Roberts with an unidentified friend. Out of respect for her grieving, VolusiaNews.Net honored Tinsley-Whitford's request not to show her face.
ORMOND BEACH -- Hope Tinsley-Whitford never got her hug from Keith "Shorty" Roberts, who had promised her husband during a New Year's party at the Rockin' Ranch that he would stop by on the way home and wish her a "Happy New Year's" because she was too sick to go out and celebrate.
What was to be a gateway to a prosperous 2011, instead turned into a living hell at 2:30 a.m. Saturday with Roberts' pick-up truck sprayed with gunfire by his alleged killer, 37-year-old Christian Pursley, armed with a handgun.
Roberts didn't make it past the next block as he sped off with a female friend who was struck by shattered glass. That friend was Pursley's estranged wife Shannon Pursley.
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At left is murder suspect Christian Pursley. The inset photo shows the bar near dusk Sunday, just a day after the New Year's Violence felled Shorty Roberts.
As reported exclusively by VolusiaNews.net earlier in the day Sunday, Christian Pursley was ordered held without bond by Circuit Judge William Parsons at the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach on felony charges of first-degree murder and attempted murder.
A day after the shooting, the bar was locked tight and its parking lot empty with the exception of Hope Tinsley-Whickford.and the reporter writing this story.
Roberts, 4 feet 11, stood tall in terms of his loyalty to his friends at the country and western bar where he was a fixture., who was known for his dancing and love of Ninja-style motorcycles and Bud Lite.
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"Shorty was always smiling -- the life of the party," Tinsley-Whickford said, choking back tears."He was only 4-11, but every time you were down, his smile would bring you up."
The Ormond Beach woman stayed home while her husband, Jamie, met up with Shorty and their circle of friends. When told that Hope wasn't up to partying, Shortly told her husband he'd stop by after closing and give her a hug.
"He was going to come by and tell me 'Happy New Year's,'" Tinsley-Whickford said, sobbing.
It goes without saying that she never figured a day of happiness and new beginnings could have such a tragic and violent end.
Tinsley-Whickford added, "I've lost family and friends to suicide, but not a killing."
Others left personal messages for Shorty on the utility pole where a cross showing his date of birth and death faced Nova Road.
One signed by a Mike and Heidi read: "You will be missed by many and you will be in our hearts forever! See you at the crossroad Shorty."
Above photos show personal messages left on scene in remembrance of murdered Rockin' Ranch patron Shorty Roberts. Below, some artifacts left at the makeshift shrine include a toy motorcycle and Shorty's favorite cereal.
