Alabama man accused of killing his wife and four young children arrested on five counts of capital crime: ‘Ghastly scene’

An Alabama man is suspected of killing his wife and four children, ages two to nine, in a shooting Thursday night that shocked the rural community where the two children lived.

Brandon Allan Kendrick II, 32, was arrested on five counts of capital murder for the deaths of his wife, Kelse Kendrick, and four children in Bibb County, court records show. The victims were shot in the head with a handgun, according to a document attached to the arrest warrant.

Sheriff Jody Wade said Brandon Kendrick is the father of two of the children and the other two are relatives. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said a 2-year-old, two 6-year-olds and a 9-year-old were killed in the shooting.

“It’s absolutely horrific. It’s unimaginable what the family is going through, what the friends of the family are experiencing, what the community is feeling right now,” Wade said. “It was just a horrific scene and even experienced police officers told me it was the worst thing they had ever seen.”

Police officers responded after someone in the home called 911 to report that a child had been shot. “While officers are on the way, they say more children have been shot,” Wade said.

Wade said Kendrick did not say anything about a possible motive when he was arrested. He was taken into custody at his home without resisting. Court records do not indicate whether he has an attorney who can speak on his behalf.

The shooting occurred around 10 p.m. in a rural area of ​​the county near West Blocton, about 40 miles southwest of Birmingham, CBS affiliate WIAT-TV reported.

Residents told WIAT-TV they were shocked to hear of a shooting in their close-knit community.

“It’s heartbreaking all around,” Bibb County resident Haley Smitherman told the station. “My prayers are with the families.”

The investigation is being conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.