Spree began in Kinston, officials say

The gunman, identified by eyewitnesses and a former high school classmate as Michael McLendon, 27, began his mad, violent rampage in Kinston, where one victim was found dead in a burned house, according to authorities.

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McLendon then went to Samson where he rampaged through a neighborhood.

Coffee County Coroner Robert Preachers said the gunman’s mother was found dead inside her burning house in Kinston, according to the Associated Press.

He then went to Samson where he shot and killed five people — four adults and a child — in one home. Then he killed one person each in two other homes. The identities of all the victims were unknown, but Preachers said they included other members of the shooter’s family.

“He started in his mother's house,” Preachers said. “Then he went to Samson and he killed his granny and granddaddy and aunt and uncle.’ ”

A 3-month-old infant was also injured in the shootings.

He then went on a random shooting spree through Samson, shooting and killing a woman at a Big Little store on State Highway 52 and another victim at Samson Pipe and Supply.

McLendon also opened fire on Bradley TrueValue Hardware store. Luckily, no one was injured.

“We were just business as normal, and all of a sudden there were bullets flying, and glass was everywhere,” owner David Bradley said. “We realized what it was and grabbed our guns, but then he was gone.”

After McLendon left Samson he fled to Geneva, where he encountered law enforcement officers. Geneva County deputies rammed the suspect’s Mitsubishi Eclipse in front of Alabama Title Loans on State Highway 52, near Wal-Mart.

Gunfire was exchanged and Geneva Police Chief Frankie Lindsey was shot in the shoulder, though his wound was not serious. A chase then continued to Reliable Products where McLendon took his own life.

The children and one of the adults were the family of a Geneva County Sheriff’s Office deputy. The deputy was one of the officers who pursued McLendon to Reliable.

“This is probably the worst thing that’s happened in my career,” Sheriff Greg Ward said. “...While the shootout was going on at Reliable, he had no idea what had happened to his family.”

“You wanna talk about a horrific scene ... ”

Alina Knowles, her father-in-law Tom Knowles and Barry Aplin were at a house on Pullum Street next door to the residence where five people were killed when the shootings took place.

Aplin heard McLendon shooting and saw him chase a woman into a nearby residence and open fire.

“I saw him in the living room just blazing the world up,” Aplin said.

Knowles said she saw McLendon open fire on her neighbors and their guests who were sitting on the front porch.

“You wanna talk about a horrific scene, you see what I saw. I went over to get that baby, and there was blood all over that porch,” Alina said, referring to the child who survived the shooting. “The baby was covered in her mother’s blood.”

Unanswered questions
Authorities have yet to establish many of the facts of the shootings. Alabama State Trooper Kevin Cook said investigators have established more than 10 different crime scenes in McLendon’s spree. According to police, McLendon was armed with multiple weapons, including an assault rifle.

Authorities have yet to identify the victims in the shooting. Eyewitnesses have identified them, but the Dothan Eagle is awaiting next-of-kin notification to release the names.

Aplin said one of the victims was one of his best friends.

“I ain’t sleeping tonight,” Aplin said. “That was my best friend just gone.”

Also unknown at this time is McClendon’s motive for killing.

Cecil Knowles, Alina’s husband, wasn’t at home when the shootings happened, but said McLendon was related to some of the victims and was a frequent guest in the neighborhood.

“I went to high school with him and thought he was a cool guy,” he said. “I don’t know what tipped his lid.”

Jerry Hysmith, a Samson resident, said he had worked with McLendon at Reliable and found him shy, but agreeable.

“He never said anything out of the way to me or anyone,” he said. “He had a great mother and came from a good family.”