Geneva County Shootings
Mass Shooting Spree
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Geneva, Alabama
TIME PERIOD
March 10, 2009
VICTIMS
10 confirmed
On March 10, 2009, Michael Kenneth McLendon, 28, carried out a deadly shooting spree across Geneva County, Alabama, resulting in the deaths of ten individuals and injuries to six others. The incident began at approximately 3:30 p.m. at McLendon's mother's home in Kinston, where he killed her and set the house ablaze before proceeding to Samson, where he shot his uncle, two cousins, a neighbor, and the neighbor's infant daughter. McLendon continued his rampage, targeting individuals from his vehicle, ultimately leading to a confrontation with law enforcement that resulted in his suicide. The investigation revealed that McLendon was struggling with depression and expressed feelings of inadequate familial support in a note found after the incident. This case remains the deadliest mass shooting in Alabama's history.
Michael Kenneth McLendon was motivated by feelings of depression and a perceived lack of support from his family, as indicated by a note he left behind. Some speculate that his mental health struggles and financial difficulties contributed to his violent outburst. Additionally, the nature of the attacks, including the targeting of family members, has led to discussions about familial relationships and the potential for unresolved conflicts within families to escalate into violence.
The Geneva County Tragedy: Alabama's Darkest Hour
On March 10, 2009, the quiet communities of Kinston, Samson, and Geneva, Alabama, became the backdrop for a horrific tragedy, marking the deadliest mass shooting in the state's history. Michael Kenneth McLendon, a 28-year-old man plagued by personal demons, embarked on a violent spree that left 11 people dead, including himself, and six others wounded.
The Rampage Begins
It was a little past 3:30 p.m. when McLendon initiated his attack at the home he shared with his mother in Kinston, a small town of 540 residents. In a chilling act of violence, he shot his mother, Lisa White McLendon, and their three dogs in the head before setting their house ablaze. This marked the start of his deadly journey.
Leaving the smoldering ruins behind, McLendon drove to Samson, a city with a population of about 2,000, where he continued his brutal assault. At his uncle's home, he opened fire on family members and neighbors gathered on the porch. His uncle, James Alford White, and his cousins, Tracy Michelle Wise and Dean James Wise, fell victim to his bullets. Neighbor Andrea Dawn Myers and her 18-month-old daughter, Corinne Gracy Myers, were also killed. Remarkably, four-month-old Ella Myers survived despite her injuries, while McLendon's aunt, Phyllis White, remained unharmed inside the house. He then moved next door, where he murdered his maternal grandmother, Virginia E. White, completing his lethal assault on his family.
A Town Under Siege
McLendon didn't stop there. He climbed into his car and drove through Samson, shooting randomly at people he encountered. Sonya Smith, a 43-year-old gas station attendant, was his next victim. Bruce Malloy, a 51-year-old motorist, was killed as he drove past McLendon. Lastly, 24-year-old James Starling was shot in the back while attempting to escape the chaos. In his wake, McLendon left four others injured as he continued his shooting spree along Highway 52 toward Geneva.
Law enforcement, now in pursuit, attempted to halt McLendon's deadly rampage using a PIT maneuver on his vehicle. However, McLendon fired back with a rifle, injuring Geneva's police chief, Frankie Lindsey, in the arm. Unfazed, McLendon pressed on to the Reliable Building Products warehouse, a place he had once worked in 2003. There, in a tense shootout with police, McLendon took his own life.
A Community Mourns
The aftermath of the shooting saw a community grappling with immense loss. The victims spanned a wide age range, from 18-month-old Corinne Gracy Myers to 74-year-old Virginia E. White. McLendon’s family was decimated, and strangers’ lives were senselessly cut short.
Unraveling the Motive
Michael Kenneth McLendon was a man burdened by a troubled past. Born on September 19, 1980, he was raised mostly by his aunt and uncle after his parents divorced. Known as a quiet "A" student in high school, McLendon graduated in 1999 but struggled to find his footing in the world. His work history was marked by short stints and disappointments. He once worked briefly with the Samson Police Department but failed to complete basic training. His tenure at Reliable Products ended in 2003, and he had recently quit his job at Kelley Foods, a sausage factory in Elba, just days before the shootings.
Investigations revealed a man deeply affected by his parents' divorce and frustrated by his inability to establish a career. A handwritten list found in his home named individuals from previous jobs who had disciplined or reported him, although none of these people were among his victims. A letter discovered by detectives outlined a dispute with his mother's family over a family Bible and hinted at the personal suffering he and his mother endured.
A Controversial Response
In the chaotic aftermath, federal troops from Fort Rucker were deployed to assist local law enforcement in Samson. They manned traffic stops and a makeshift morgue, actions later deemed a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits federal troops from engaging in domestic law enforcement. The Army took administrative action against at least one officer involved.
Coming Together in Tragedy
In response to the tragedy, the community rallied to support the victims' families. A fundraising event organized by Andalusia's WAAO-FM radio station aimed to raise $10,000 but ultimately collected over $47,000 in cash, along with casket and vault donations, totaling more than $100,000 in support.
Sources
For further reading and verification, please visit the original Wikipedia article: Geneva County shootings
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Shooting Spree Begins
Michael McLendon kills his mother and sets their house on fire, marking the start of his shooting spree.
Multiple Victims Shot
McLendon travels to Samson, killing his uncle, two cousins, and a neighbor along with her infant daughter.
Continues Shooting from Car
McLendon shoots at people from his car, killing several more individuals as he drives towards Geneva.
Police Engagement
McLendon engages in a shootout with police before committing suicide inside a warehouse.
Total Casualties Confirmed
The shooting spree results in 11 deaths, including the perpetrator, and 6 injuries.
FBI Joins Investigation
The FBI begins assisting local law enforcement in the investigation of the shooting spree.
Suicide Note Discovered
Investigators find a note from McLendon indicating his intent to commit suicide after the killings.
Troop Deployment Review
An Army investigation finds the deployment of federal troops to assist local law enforcement was illegal.
Fundraising for Victims
A local radio station organizes a fundraising event, raising over $100,000 for the victims' families.
On March 10, 2009, Michael Kenneth McLendon, 28, carried out a deadly shooting spree across Geneva County, Alabama, resulting in the deaths of ten individuals and injuries to six others. The incident began at approximately 3:30 p.m. at McLendon's mother's home in Kinston, where he killed her and set the house ablaze before proceeding to Samson, where he shot his uncle, two cousins, a neighbor, and the neighbor's infant daughter. McLendon continued his rampage, targeting individuals from his vehicle, ultimately leading to a confrontation with law enforcement that resulted in his suicide. The investigation revealed that McLendon was struggling with depression and expressed feelings of inadequate familial support in a note found after the incident. This case remains the deadliest mass shooting in Alabama's history.
Michael Kenneth McLendon was motivated by feelings of depression and a perceived lack of support from his family, as indicated by a note he left behind. Some speculate that his mental health struggles and financial difficulties contributed to his violent outburst. Additionally, the nature of the attacks, including the targeting of family members, has led to discussions about familial relationships and the potential for unresolved conflicts within families to escalate into violence.
The Geneva County Tragedy: Alabama's Darkest Hour
On March 10, 2009, the quiet communities of Kinston, Samson, and Geneva, Alabama, became the backdrop for a horrific tragedy, marking the deadliest mass shooting in the state's history. Michael Kenneth McLendon, a 28-year-old man plagued by personal demons, embarked on a violent spree that left 11 people dead, including himself, and six others wounded.
The Rampage Begins
It was a little past 3:30 p.m. when McLendon initiated his attack at the home he shared with his mother in Kinston, a small town of 540 residents. In a chilling act of violence, he shot his mother, Lisa White McLendon, and their three dogs in the head before setting their house ablaze. This marked the start of his deadly journey.
Leaving the smoldering ruins behind, McLendon drove to Samson, a city with a population of about 2,000, where he continued his brutal assault. At his uncle's home, he opened fire on family members and neighbors gathered on the porch. His uncle, James Alford White, and his cousins, Tracy Michelle Wise and Dean James Wise, fell victim to his bullets. Neighbor Andrea Dawn Myers and her 18-month-old daughter, Corinne Gracy Myers, were also killed. Remarkably, four-month-old Ella Myers survived despite her injuries, while McLendon's aunt, Phyllis White, remained unharmed inside the house. He then moved next door, where he murdered his maternal grandmother, Virginia E. White, completing his lethal assault on his family.
A Town Under Siege
McLendon didn't stop there. He climbed into his car and drove through Samson, shooting randomly at people he encountered. Sonya Smith, a 43-year-old gas station attendant, was his next victim. Bruce Malloy, a 51-year-old motorist, was killed as he drove past McLendon. Lastly, 24-year-old James Starling was shot in the back while attempting to escape the chaos. In his wake, McLendon left four others injured as he continued his shooting spree along Highway 52 toward Geneva.
Law enforcement, now in pursuit, attempted to halt McLendon's deadly rampage using a PIT maneuver on his vehicle. However, McLendon fired back with a rifle, injuring Geneva's police chief, Frankie Lindsey, in the arm. Unfazed, McLendon pressed on to the Reliable Building Products warehouse, a place he had once worked in 2003. There, in a tense shootout with police, McLendon took his own life.
A Community Mourns
The aftermath of the shooting saw a community grappling with immense loss. The victims spanned a wide age range, from 18-month-old Corinne Gracy Myers to 74-year-old Virginia E. White. McLendon’s family was decimated, and strangers’ lives were senselessly cut short.
Unraveling the Motive
Michael Kenneth McLendon was a man burdened by a troubled past. Born on September 19, 1980, he was raised mostly by his aunt and uncle after his parents divorced. Known as a quiet "A" student in high school, McLendon graduated in 1999 but struggled to find his footing in the world. His work history was marked by short stints and disappointments. He once worked briefly with the Samson Police Department but failed to complete basic training. His tenure at Reliable Products ended in 2003, and he had recently quit his job at Kelley Foods, a sausage factory in Elba, just days before the shootings.
Investigations revealed a man deeply affected by his parents' divorce and frustrated by his inability to establish a career. A handwritten list found in his home named individuals from previous jobs who had disciplined or reported him, although none of these people were among his victims. A letter discovered by detectives outlined a dispute with his mother's family over a family Bible and hinted at the personal suffering he and his mother endured.
A Controversial Response
In the chaotic aftermath, federal troops from Fort Rucker were deployed to assist local law enforcement in Samson. They manned traffic stops and a makeshift morgue, actions later deemed a violation of the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits federal troops from engaging in domestic law enforcement. The Army took administrative action against at least one officer involved.
Coming Together in Tragedy
In response to the tragedy, the community rallied to support the victims' families. A fundraising event organized by Andalusia's WAAO-FM radio station aimed to raise $10,000 but ultimately collected over $47,000 in cash, along with casket and vault donations, totaling more than $100,000 in support.
Sources
For further reading and verification, please visit the original Wikipedia article: Geneva County shootings
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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Shooting Spree Begins
Michael McLendon kills his mother and sets their house on fire, marking the start of his shooting spree.
Multiple Victims Shot
McLendon travels to Samson, killing his uncle, two cousins, and a neighbor along with her infant daughter.
Continues Shooting from Car
McLendon shoots at people from his car, killing several more individuals as he drives towards Geneva.
Police Engagement
McLendon engages in a shootout with police before committing suicide inside a warehouse.
Total Casualties Confirmed
The shooting spree results in 11 deaths, including the perpetrator, and 6 injuries.
FBI Joins Investigation
The FBI begins assisting local law enforcement in the investigation of the shooting spree.
Suicide Note Discovered
Investigators find a note from McLendon indicating his intent to commit suicide after the killings.
Troop Deployment Review
An Army investigation finds the deployment of federal troops to assist local law enforcement was illegal.
Fundraising for Victims
A local radio station organizes a fundraising event, raising over $100,000 for the victims' families.