A 36-year-old Memphis mother, Kendra Scott, has been charged with first-degree murder and a firearm offense after police say she shot a man found hiding under her daughter’s bed. The victim, tentatively identified as Rodderius Morton, was found with a gunshot wound to the back of his head and pronounced dead at the scene. A juvenile in the home told investigators they had invited Morton inside earlier without their mother’s knowledge; Scott is being held without bond pending arraignment on July 24.
Memphis Mother Charged With First‑Degree Murder After Man Found Hiding Under Daughter’s Bed
Kendra ScottCredit: memphis police
A 36-year-old Memphis mother, Kendra Scott, has been charged with first-degree murder and a firearm offense after police say she shot and killed a man who was discovered hiding under her child’s bed, according to an arrest affidavit and local court records.
Details of the Incident
Officers responded to a reported shooting in the 3000 block of Travis Road in Memphis at approximately 1:40 a.m. on July 16, the arrest affidavit filed by the Memphis Police Department and submitted to Tennessee authorities says. When police arrived, they found an unresponsive man on the front lawn with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. The victim was tentatively identified as Rodderius Morton and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police interviewed resident Kendra Scott, who said she returned home and "saw a dude under my kid's bed." Scott is quoted in the affidavit as saying, "I did what I had to do."
Police car (stock image)Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
"I did what I had to do." — Kendra Scott, quoted in police affidavit
A neighbor told officers he came outside after hearing a gunshot and saw a man who had been shot near Scott’s front porch. That witness reported seeing Scott standing in the yard holding a firearm and repeatedly saying, "I shot him, I shot him."
Statements From a Juvenile Witness
Investigators also spoke with a juvenile who was in the home during the incident. The juvenile told police they had invited Morton into the residence earlier that night at about 1:20–1:30 a.m. without their mother’s knowledge. According to the juvenile’s statement in the affidavit, Scott returned home, began yelling, "Who's at my house?" and confronted the residence while holding a gun. The juvenile said Scott had previously warned that if she "sees a boy in my house I will put a hole in his ass." The juvenile said Morton gathered his things and left the home, and neighbors then heard a gunshot.
Charges and Legal Status
Public court records in Shelby County show Scott has been charged with first-degree murder and with employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. She is being held without bond, and her first arraignment is scheduled for Friday, July 24.
"One of the key questions in this case will be whether anyone could act rationally in this circumstance," said Scott’s attorney, Blake Ballin, who also described the episode as "the worst nightmare of any parent" and said the juvenile involved is a 13-year-old girl.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing as court proceedings move forward. No additional details about the victim’s age have been released.
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