Tennessee Mother Arrested After Fatal Shooting of Intruder

A Tennessee mother is facing serious charges after allegedly shooting a man she found hiding under her 13-year-old daughter’s bed. The individual, Rodelius Morton, 20, was reportedly shot in the back of the head outside his home in Memphis. This incident has sparked widespread discussion and divided opinions.

Kendra Scott, 36, was taken into custody on Thursday and has been charged with first-degree murder. She appeared in court for the first time on Monday, where her bail was set at $100,000, according to police reports.

Scott claims that upon returning home around 1:30 a.m., she discovered a man hiding under her children’s bed. In the arrest affidavit, she stated, “And I did what I had to do.”

While Scott’s lawyer described the situation as a “parent’s worst nightmare,” a former teacher of Morton expressed a more complex view on the incident. Robin Perkins, who taught Morton during middle school, claimed he had special needs and might not have understood the severity of his actions. She reflected on his character, saying he was “soft-spoken and respectful,” and called the situation “unbelievable.”

Perkins expressed concern, believing Morton may have thought the girl was older or simply didn’t grasp the legal implications of his presence. While acknowledging that Morton’s behavior was not acceptable, she suggested that his cognitive abilities were not like those of a typical 20-year-old. “I wish she hadn’t shot him,” Perkins remarked, emphasizing that there were other ways to handle the situation.

In further developments, Perkins mentioned that Morton’s family was unaware he had left home at the time of the incident. The teenage daughter reportedly invited Morton over just before the shooting occurred.

When Scott returned home, she began shouting and banging on the door, displaying visible agitation. Once inside, she confronted Morton, demanding he leave. Witnesses heard gunfire shortly after, and a neighbor reported seeing Scott next to Morton’s body, still holding the firearm and admitting, “I shot him, I shot him.”

Authorities recovered a shell casing and a Smith & Wesson handgun at the scene. Following questioning, Scott was charged with murder and firearm offenses.

Scott’s attorney underscored the complexities of the case, describing it as a tragedy with many factors to consider. The community has been intensely debating the incident, with opinions split on whether Scott’s actions were justified.

Even those living nearby have differing views. One neighbor described Scott as a pleasant woman but expressed dismay at the situation, while another suggested she should have called 911 instead of taking matters into her own hands. “If I was in that position, I would have called the police,” the neighbor asserted.

Scott is set to appear in court again on August 3.