On December 8, 2003, a daylong standoff in Abbeville, South Carolina, ended with the arrests of Arthur, Rita, and Steven Bixby, which resulted in the deaths of two law enforcement officers. During the ordeal, the Bixbys, Arthur and Steven, stationed themselves at the house’s windows and shot at anyone who approached the residence.
Tensions began days before the standoff, when Department of Transportation officials discovered someone had tampered with surveyor’s stakes marking the expansion of Highway 72. The Bixby family believed the department lacked the right of way (eminent domain authority) to a small corner of their property. The Bixbys had reportedly told others they would become violent to keep officials off their property. Fearing the situation might escalate, transportation officials asked police to accompany them to the meeting with the family, which was scheduled for sometime that Monday morning.
The Bixbys had moved from their home state of New Hampshire. Steven was the first to arrive and was reportedly active in the bars around the small town. Locals have stated that he was known to holler about his constitutional rights, even bellowing “Live Free or Die!” Sometime around 2000, his parents arrived to join him. Some online reports have speculated that the Bixbys had a troubled past with their neighbors from New Hampshire, and Steven possibly left over a warrant issued for his arrest due to excessive driving offenses.
The turn of the century brought new life to the family as they settled in the quaint town of Abbeville. Like other smaller areas around the South, neighbors typically mind their own business but approach with a smile and a warm handshake. So, when Steven went around Abbeville yelling about his rights, no one really questioned the man about his background or how he ended up so far from his home state. But all of that would soon change for the troubled family.
According to an article on splcenter.org, “Once they’d landed in Abbeville, folks weren’t sure what to make of the Bixbys. The more Steve would drink, the louder he would get, “says Lt. Det. Smith, who befriended Steven after arresting him during a domestic dispute with his girlfriend. “People would say, ‘Well, that’s just Steve.’ The younger Bixby had a problem following the law and would always say the police were wrong. Rita, the mother, shared her son’s mindset. She despised laws and wanted them changed.
The same article listed a friend who was interviewed, who had befriended the family. He stated that many people around town thought they were weird, but not killers. His views of the family changed when Steven called and “threatened to kill my kids because they were walking through Arthur and Rita’s yard on their way to the school bus. Called me all kinds of racist names and stuff.”
In early December 2006, Arthur Bixby fired off a letter to several state officials over transportation workers staking their yard for the highway project. The previous owner had reportedly signed a right-of-way agreement granting access, but the Bixbys believed it was a conspiracy. It was also reported that the end of the letter was signed, “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death. Death is not the worst of evils.”
People really didn’t believe anything would happen the morning of December 8, 2003. The people in the know thought it would be another hollering match about rights, but it would be settled. Unfortunately, around 9:15 a.m., Deputy Sheriff Danny Wilson arrived at the family’s door to defuse the situation that had occurred over the weekend, when the Bixbys became belligerent toward construction workers. Steven Bixby shot Wilson in the chest.
A few minutes later, Constable Donnie Outzs approached the front door of the property. Someone yelled that they had a gun, as Outzs slowly edged away. At that moment, another loud shot was heard, as glass came out, landing on the front porch of the home.
By that time, a significant law enforcement presence had gathered at the residence and found Constable Outzs deceased lying on the ground. It was later revealed that Rita Bixby was barricaded in Steven’s apartment, with enough ammo to mow down all of the residents at the Abbeville Arms Apartments.
Around sunset, Rita Bixby was coaxed out of the apartment. Authorities used an armored vehicle to ram through the front porch and door, arresting Arthur and Steven. Once inside, law enforcement found the body of Wilson, the first man who was shot.
Rita Bixby was sentenced to life in prison for planning the ambush. Arthur Bixby was found unfit to stand trial because he suffered from dementia. Both died in 2011. Rita died in prison, and Arthur died in a mental institution.
Steven Bixby was convicted in 2007 for killing two police officers and was sentenced to death. In September 2025, a judge ruled that Steven Bixby is mentally competent to be put to death. Bixby is currently awaiting his date to be executed by the state of South Carolina.
Written By John G. Clark Jr.
