Warning: This article contains discussion of gun violence which some readers may find distressing.
In a shocking case, an Alabama man reportedly claimed that the ‘TV told him to kill’ his wife and four children, revealed an agent during testimony.
On July 18, 2024, the lives of Kelsey Kendrick, 24, Colton Daniels, aged eight, Kaleb Kendrick, aged six, Haley Daniels, also six, and two-year-old Kynli Kendrick were tragically taken.
The accused, Brandon Kendrick, 32, is charged with the fatal shootings of his wife Kelsey and the four children, two of whom were his own, while the other two were relatives.
The tragic incident occurred at the residence of Kendrick’s grandfather, Pastor Kendrick, situated near West Blocton in Bibb County, Alabama.
In a previous congregation address, Pastor Kendrick recounted the events of that night, as cited by WBRC: “Ten minutes before I heard a gunshot, my grandson was sitting in my bedroom with me and Gay, laughing, talking, talked about the first time we ever took him to a restaurant for his 13th birthday.
“We were laughing and talking. His wife had gotten home. She laughed and talked with us and left. He got up 10 minutes later, and we heard pow.
“I told Gay that there was a gunshot there. He walked in with a gun in his hand. She was closest to him. She grabbed the gun, and it went off. I don’t know how it kept from hitting her.
“I was able to subdue him. And once that happened, he didn’t know where he was at. He started asking me and Gay where he was at.”
According to a document filed with the arrest warrant, all victims were shot in the head with a handgun.
Sheriff Jody Wade informed CBS News that the scene was so ‘horrific’ that even experienced officers found it ‘the worst thing they’ve ever seen’.
Initially, Kendrick did not provide any explanation for his actions when he was apprehended and detained, as stated by Wade.
However, during a preliminary hearing on December 5, ALEA State Bureau of Investigation Agent Ivy Hornsby testified about Kendrick’s remarks regarding the incident.
During the hearing, Agent Hornsby stated that although Kendrick was ‘reluctant to go into detail’, he allegedly admitted to ‘shooting his wife, his children and his niece and nephew,’ as reported by AL.com.
Agent Hornsby added: “He said the TV told him to kill his family, and he said something about radio towers.”
Kendrick faces five counts of capital murder and has entered a plea of not guilty due to mental illness or defect.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.