Memphis mother charged with murder after shooting man found under daughter's bed

Kendra Scott, 36, allegedly shot and killed Rodderius Morton after finding him hiding under her daughter's bed in Memphis, Tennessee. She has been charged with first-degree murder.

Tennessee mother held without bond after fatal shooting of intruder at family home

A 36-year-old mother in Memphis, Tennessee has been charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting and killing a man she found hiding under her daughter's bed, people.com reports.

Officers from the Memphis Police Department responded to the 3000 block of Travis Road at approximately 1:40 a.m. on 16 July, following a report of a shooting. On arrival, they found a man lying unresponsive in the front yard, suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of his head.

The man, tentatively identified as Rodderius Morton, was pronounced dead at the scene. His age has not been released.

Police spoke to resident Kendra Scott, who told officers she had come home to find "a dude under my kid's bed." Scott then told police, "I did what I had to do," according to an arrest affidavit obtained by people.com, submitted by the Memphis Police Department to the state of Tennessee.

A neighbour who came outside after hearing a gunshot told officers he saw a male who had been shot near the front porch of Scott's home, and saw Scott standing in the front yard holding a gun and saying, "I shot him, I shot him."

Police also spoke to a juvenile who was allegedly in the home at the time. The juvenile told officers they had invited Morton into the house at around 1:20 or 1:30 a.m. When Scott arrived home, she began shouting, "Who's at my house?" The juvenile told police they were afraid of Scott, who was holding a gun and had previously warned that if she "sees a boy in my house I will put a hole in his ass," per the affidavit.

According to the juvenile, Scott discovered Morton hiding under the bed. Morton then gathered his belongings and left the home, at which point the juvenile heard a gunshot.

Scott has since been charged with first-degree murder and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, per Shelby County public court records.

In a statement to people.com, Scott's attorney, Blake Ballin, said the incident "started with the worst nightmare of any parent" and confirmed the juvenile involved was a 13-year-old girl. "One of the key questions in this case will be whether anyone could act rationally in this circumstance," Ballin added.

Scott is currently being held without bond. Her first arraignment hearing is scheduled for Friday, 24 July, according to public court records.

Source: The Sun