Search ErieReader.com
DonateBest of ErieTicketsAdvertiseDistributionIssuesAboutContactEventsNewsletter
Close
Donate!
Best of Erie 2025
The Reader Beat
Tickets
Newsletter Signup
Erie Reader Business Quarterly
City Guide
Events
Opinion
Features
Issues Archive
Events Calendar
Advertise
More
Arts & Culture
Business
Columns
Community
Environment
Film
From the Editors
Gem City Style
Local, Original Comics
Music Reviews
News & Politics
Recipes
Sports
Theater
Distribution Locations
About Us
Contact Us
Issue Archives
Internship Opportunities
Write for Us
Share:
BloggERy

Mayberry Ablaze!

Sudden death of respected local sheriff leaves void quickly filled by criminals.

by Cory Vaillancourt
View ProfileFacebookTwitterGoogle+RSS Feed
July 3, 2012 at 7:39 PM
wikimedia


Mt. Airy, N.C.  - The town of Mayberry, N.C., is ablaze this evening as reports of arson, looting, and shootings continue to stream in. 

Reports from the scene describe horrific levels of lawlessness and violence not seen in the United States since the Los Angeles riots of 1992. At this time, reports of death or injury from Mayberry are still sketchy, but totals are expected to surpass L.A.'s 53 dead and 2,000 injured.

The spark that initially ignited this long-simmering cauldron of crime appears to be the sudden death of long-serving and well-liked Sheriff Andy Taylor early this morning. Taylor, who notably refused to carry a firearm, was known across the nation for his ability to solve most problems in Mayberry with his fatherly, compassionate style, usually in under 30 minutes.

Violence is expected to continue through the night; Mayberry's Deputy Sheriff Bernard Fife was unavailable for comment. We'll continue to monitor the situation and update as warranted. In the meantime, pray for Mayberry.

Featured Events

Today Tomorrow This Weekend

East Erie Satellite: Second Chances For Juvenile Lifers In The Prison Population

Community & Causes
May. 28th, 4:41 PM to 7:30 PM

Idlestar Productions Presents Sadness with Snooze and Pains

Music
May. 29th, 4:41 PM

A Knight to Remember: Queer Youth Prom

Dance
May. 30th, 4:41 PM to 10 PM

Rebecca Kaplan Headlines The Set Closet

Comedy
May. 30th, 4:41 PM

Erie Reader Book Club: The Sentence

Literary Arts
May. 31st, 4:41 PM

Submit Your Event   View Calendar

May 2026: Summer Preview
Erie Reader: Vol. 16, No. 5
View Past Issues
In This Issue
Erie Reader Business Quarterly
« Download PDF
View Articles »
Erie Reader Best of Erie City Guide 2023-2024

Popular This Week

COVID-19 Cases Rise Slightly In Erie County, Across Country

xRepresentx, Vice, Counterfeit, Cop Torture at BT

Ludacris Shows Behrend Some Southern Hospitality

Best of Erie 2014 Finalists

Hangin' Out at the South Pier

Related Articles

Tiger Maple String Band is spending St. Patrick's at Sprague's

by Ryan Smith3/17/2017, 5:04 AM
DD ... check. Go get some of your Patty's on at Sprague Farm and Brew Works!

Looking for a scary good time?

by Ryan Smith10/31/2016, 12:42 PM
Get your Halloween Night fright on at Ghost Lake.

Shining on the last night of Night Lights

by Ryan Smith8/27/2016, 12:00 PM
A quick Q-and-A with one of the festival's mainstay favorites: Aqueous

Shining (even more) on Night Lights Music Festival

by Ryan Smith8/26/2016, 3:04 PM
A quick Q-and-A with one of the festival's amazing performers: Tyler Smilo of Daybreak Radio

Shining (some more) on Night Lights Music Festival

by Ryan Smith8/25/2016, 5:06 PM
A quick Q-and-A with one of the festival's amazing bands: GNOSiS

Shining on Night Lights Music Festival

by Ryan Smith8/24/2016, 5:44 AM
A quick Q-and-A with one of the festival's chief founders, organizers, and musicians: Scott Molloy
Member of Reporters Shield
© 2026 Great Lakes Online Media
PO Box 10963  //  Erie, PA 16514
Terms of Use Privacy Policy