A woman who shot a man she found hiding under her daughter's bed in Tennessee is charged with murder
Authorities maintain that the man had been invited to the house before the defendant's arrival.
A Tennessee woman was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting and killing a 20-year-old man after finding him hiding under her daughter's bed inside a home in Memphis, authorities said.
The suspect was identified by Memphis Police as Kendra Scott, 36, who also faces a charge of using a firearm during the commission of a serious crime, Memphis WMC reported.
The victim was identified as Rodderius Morton, 20 years old.
The victim was found with a gunshot wound to the head.
According to Memphis Police, the events occurred early Wednesday morning at a residence located on Travis Road, in the Walker Homes neighborhood.
Officers responded to an emergency call around 1:45 a.m. and they found a man lying in the front yard, near the porch of the home, with a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
He was later identified as Rodderius Morton.
According to the affidavit cited by local media, a woman present at the scene told the agents: “I saw a man under my children's bed and I did what I had to do.”
Authorities later identified that woman as Kendra Scott.
During the investigation, a neighbor stated that he heard noises coming from the house and went out to check what was happening.
According to his testimony, he found the young man wounded near the porch and observed Scott holding a gun while repeating: “I shot him, I shot him.”
The investigation contradicts the first version
The police investigation includes the testimony of a minor who was in the home.
According to the statement collected by authorities, Morton had been invited to the house and entered through the back door around 1:00 a.m.
The minor claimed that Scott returned approximately half an hour later, knocking loudly on the front door while asking who was inside the house.
He also stated that he felt afraid because the accused arrived armed and very upset.
According to the statement included in the file, Scott had previously warned him: “If I see a boy inside the house, I will make a hole in him.”
The young man tried to leave the house
According to the minor's version, once Scott entered the house he found Morton hiding under the bed.
The two began to argue and the woman ordered him to leave the house.
The investigation maintains that the young man managed to get to the front porch, but Scott followed him.
Shortly after, the minor heard a single gunshot.
Kendra Scott remains held in the Shelby County Jail without bond.
He is scheduled to appear in court next Monday, while the judicial process continues.