More Info Released On Deadly Alabama Shootings

March 12, 2009

More information has been released in the Tuesday shootings in south Alabama, the deadliest single crime ever recorded in Alabama history.

Col. J. Christopher Murphy, director of the Alabama Department of Public Safety, released the following information Thursday night:

Since the horrific events Tuesday in Coffee and Geneva counties in south Alabama, investigators at the state and local levels, with assistance from federal agencies, have worked virtually without rest to answer the questions surrounding this tragedy. We have said before, and it bears repeating: Tuesday’s violence marks the single deadliest crime in recorded Alabama history, and it has resulted in an intense, unprecedented unified response by law enforcement. From the police and sheriff departments, the district attorneys’ offices, and every other resource, we have fielded a cooperative investigation that, most importantly, is yielding important information about these events.

We have examined multiple crime scenes spread over two counties and more than 20 miles, and we are sifting through a multitude of evidence. Because the author of these events died Tuesday by his own hands, the evidence in this case becomes the ultimate witness. We look to this evidence to provide answers, and tonight we have a much clearer understanding of Tuesday’s events.

While there still is evidence and analysis that we are not at liberty to discuss, on behalf of the investigation, District Attorney McAliley and I would like to provide the following information, which has resulted from this joint investigation and answers many of the questions being asked by the communities in Coffee and Geneva counties, by law enforcement, and by the larger public.

  • In 1999, Michael Kenneth McLendon enlisted in the USMC and was discharged one month later for fraudulent enlistment.
  • In 2003, McLendon entered the Montgomery Police Academy and was released one month later.
  • In 2003, McLendon resigned from employment at Reliable Products of Geneva, Alabama.
  • On Wednesday, March 4, 2009, McLendon resigned from employment at Kelley’s Foods in Elba, Alabama.
  •  McLendon was a self-proclaimed survivalist and was known to purchase large amounts of ammunition. He owned several different types of firearms, including two assault rifles.
  • McLendon made a large purchase of ammunition and magazines the day before the homicides.
  • McLendon was known to train with the weapons he used in the homicides.
  • McLendon made statements of being depressed and dissatisfied with his present position in life. His dream was to become a Marine and later a police officer. Both dreams were unfulfilled.
  • McLendon owned body armor, but was not wearing it during these events.
  • McLendon had no known criminal history.
  • McLendon left a letter that is in the possession of investigators, describing how he killed his mother and his intentions of taking his own life. The letter describes how McLendon harbored ill feelings toward family members due to a family dispute.
  • There also is evidence in the possession of investigators that indicates McLendon made a list that expresses his dissatisfaction with others who had grieved him and disappointed him.
  • McLendon fired a known 125 rounds at his victims, killing Corrine Gracy Myers, Andrea D. Myers, Lisa White McLendon, James Alford White, Tracy Michelle Wise, Dean James Wise, Virginia E. White, James Irvin Starling, Sonja Smith, and Bruce Wilson Malloy, and injuring six more innocent victims, including Chief Frankie Lindsey and Trooper Mike Gillis, who despite their injuries continued valiantly in pursuit of McLendon in an effort to protect the public.

This investigation is continuing and there are still unanswered questions. But through the evidence collected and analyzed, including the letter McLendon left behind, we have a much better understanding of motive. Our investigators are absolutely convinced that these events began with Michael Kenneth McLendon and died with Michael Kenneth McLendon. There are no indications that there are any lingering threats to the community that stem from this incident. These communities need a chance to grieve and to mourn, but they also need a chance to move past these events, and that is what all of our investigators have been and remain focused on.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News