In a heart-wrenching event that has shaken a small Alabama community, an elderly pastor shared his harrowing experience of wrestling a gun away from his grandson.
The confrontation came after the grandson, Brandon Allan Kendrick, 32, allegedly shot and killed his wife and four young children.
The tragedy unfolded on the Kendrick family’s rural property in West Blocton, Alabama, located about 40 miles south of Birmingham.
Kendrick is now facing five counts of capital murder following the mass shooting with a 9mm pistol.
The victims included Kendrick’s wife, Kelse, 24, their son Kaleb, six, Kynli, two, and their cousins Colton, eight, and Haley, six.
The horrifying scene was discovered at the garage apartment where the family was staying.
The elderly pastor, Allan Kendrick, 71, recounted the night’s events during his sermon at Oasis of Praise Church in Bessemer, where he serves as the senior pastor.
Allan revealed that Brandon had endured severe abuse throughout his life before being placed under his grandparents’ custody at age 12.
The abuse was physical, sexual, and emotional. Despite receiving care and support, Brandon’s struggles with schizophrenia intensified in the months leading up to the shooting.
Family members explained that Kelse and her children had suffered from domestic violence for years and that Brandon often neglected his medication.
The Pastor’s Account
According to Allan, the nightmare began while he was watching TV with his wife Gay.
They heard what they thought was a gunshot and soon found Brandon entering their bedroom with a gun.
Gay tried to grab the weapon, leading to a dangerous struggle where a shot was fired but miraculously missed them.
Allan later said that this narrow escape was due to divine intervention.
In the hours before the massacre, Allan had expressed his worries about Brandon to his congregation, requesting prayers for safety.
However, these concerns were not communicated to authorities, and Kelse and the children remained in the vicinity that night.
The Unexpected Violence
Just minutes before the shooting, Brandon had been conversing and laughing with his grandparents.
Allan described how the sudden transition from a pleasant evening to a horrifying scene was shocking and unexplained.
Allan elaborated on Brandon’s troubled past, revealing that he had been severely abused for 12 years before coming to live with them.
At 18, the system removed him from disability benefits and medication due to financial issues, which further deteriorated his mental health.
The Aftermath
The community was left in shock and disbelief as news of the massacre spread.
According to Allan, Brandon had called 911 early that morning, seeking help for his mental state but was turned away.
When the police arrived, they discovered the tragic scene and arrested Brandon.
The victims, including Haley who was still breathing but later succumbed to her injuries, were found with gunshot wounds.
Kaden was the last to be shot outside the apartment, likely while attempting to escape.
A Community’s Response
In response to the tragedy, Oasis of Praise Church held a prayer vigil with over 300 members.
The church has committed to assisting the affected families financially, with donations being directed to a benevolence fund.
However, the family has opted to hold the funerals elsewhere, expressing discomfort with having the services at Allan’s church.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to cover the funeral costs, with family members emphasizing their struggles with the financial burden and the last-minute nature of the decision to visit the Kendrick home.
Conclusion
The horrific events have left a profound impact on the community, with local law enforcement describing the scene as one of the most distressing they have ever encountered.
As the investigation continues, the community grapples with the loss and the overwhelming sadness of such a senseless act of violence.
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