Shooting spree in Samson Alabama: eleven dead including mother

by Amy Judd | March 10, 2009 at 02:31 pm

2832 views | 46 Recommendations | 15 comments

Eleven people have been killed, including the gunman in a Samson Alabama shooting spree.

It is now known that the gunman, whose name has still not been released, set fire to his mother's house in Coffee County and then continued on his killing spree. His mother's body has been discovered inside the home, bringing the total dead up to eleven.

The gunman started shooting at people in a home in Samson, killing six people who are believed to be relatives. He then killed a man walking on a the sidewalk in Samson, and then made it to the Big Little Store, where he shot a woman dead. He also injured a few others at this store.

It is then thought that he drove to the Bradley Tru-Value Hardware, but it is not yet known if anyone was killed at this location.

It is thought after that the shooter drove to Geneva on Highway 52 and opened fire again near a WalMart. It was shortly after this where he came in contact with the police, who tried to run him off the road. The shooter hit one police officer in the shoulder, but he made it on to Highway 27, where he led them to 'Reliable Metal Products' and it is thought that he killed himself inside the building where 500 other people were working.

Previous reporting:

At least five people have been killed in a shooting spree in Samson, Alabama.

The police are responding, but say the shooter is not still on the loose.

"Multiple" people have been killed in a shooting in Samson, Alabama, according to CNN.

This is a developing story.

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Uwe Paschen

at 16:48 on March 10th, 2009

Sorry I missed this earlier.

JAR (not verified)

at 18:11 on March 10th, 2009

10 dead Alabama (CNN) shocking news, I wonder who kills more Americans, Taliban or Americans?

"Thank goodness for the right to bear arms!"

Jackass (not verified)

at 18:13 on March 10th, 2009

10 dead Alabama (CNN) shocking news, I wonder who kills more Americans, Taliban or Americans?

"Thank goodness for the right to bear arms!"

L-S (not verified)

at 18:42 on March 10th, 2009

Alabama, 11 confirmed dead (CNN)

kuuva

at 18:46 on March 10th, 2009

that is so sad. i feel super bad for the lady in the video from the wkrg.com attached. I think she is in shock. In fact she even said not to put some material on the air but that news station did. I hate when I hear about so many people dying.

mtammas

at 20:03 on March 10th, 2009

Regarding the media on the Alabama shootings, if reporters are facing anything like the newsrooms in Canada are, they are short staffed and under-resourced.

Put that together with verifying information, as previously noted, and time does lag.

Fly Creek Marina (not verified)

at 23:55 on March 10th, 2009

I dont like this city. Its full of bizarre freaks.

Fly Creek Marina (not verified)

at 23:59 on March 10th, 2009

I dont like this city. Its full of bizarre freaks.

bizarrefreakbuster (not verified)

at 03:56 on March 11th, 2009

Maybe *they* do know what happened?

http://www.nowpublic.com/world/gestapo-usa-govt-funded-vigilante-network-targets-terrorizes-u-s-citizens

djermano

at 04:10 on March 11th, 2009

Amy said: "It is now known that the gunman, whose name has still not been released"

So I want to know why this article is not an opinion, because clearly the gunman was identified. ?

The suspect, identified as Michael McLendon of Kinston, Ala., took his own life after leaving a trail of bloodshed across two towns.

I also bet if Michael McLendon wrote an article here at NP telling his experience in shooting all those people....his article would be an opinion right?

Rev. Jermano

Yvonne (not verified)

at 07:32 on March 11th, 2009

Hey,I have lived here for 30 so years .Not right in this town (thank God).Everyone do your history on this little country town and see what ya come up with.Teacher takes gun to high school to kill another teacher because of family fuss.Nothing ever done.Now a piano player at the Baptist church.Wait I know someone would say Don`t you know of forgiveness .Yes I do but also when you put a communities family in harms way with your actions there should be a public apology for that forgiveness.You cannot give or recieve forgiveness until it is asked for.Another thing what are we telling our children and grandchildren when a town reelects a Mayor that tried to commit murder because of a personal family situation.Alot of peoples questions of this tragedy of the shooting is Why,How, And wondering how this one guy went through three towns approximately 19miles without being stopped in between these communities.Does this law enforcement need more training before being hired to protect their selves and their communities?It is such a Great loss for these families and my heart hurts for each one of them.I really do pray this will make some changes in this small town that could one day be a gift to live in.My prayers are with all of the families.God be with them All.

no name (not verified)

at 11:39 on March 11th, 2009

hey i would love to responed to you, i have lived in samson all my life.and we need someone that is higher to come in and investegate our police force,and our big mayor.the police should have done more than what they did.they were to bussie saveing themself,i thought thats what we had polices far to keep us safe.how in gods name did he make it to gevena,and the teacher you were talking about well it was just over looked,but if it had been one of our kids or us it would have been a different story.i have always love to go to my little town of samson but not know so many druges and people are nuts.

no name (not verified)

at 11:51 on March 11th, 2009

what happend in my little town hurts so bad,famelyhad better start reading the BIBLE because its going to get worse than better.people loseing there jobs and have no money to feed there famelys.everone needs to get down on there knees and start preying to our heavely father far help.i am hurting so bad far the ones who were killed,some were my friends.it is still like a dream but you know its not.i have kids and grandkids and i stay scared all the time.but i prey far our LORD to look down on us and keep us safe,it want be long before he will come back after us.the young kids have nothing in samson to do.nothing to spend there time.thats why there are so many that gets in trouble.thats the way i look at it any way.MAY GOD BLESS THE FAMELYS THAT HAS LOST THERE LOVE ONES.

Fred Miller

at 19:06 on March 11th, 2009

CNN footage just uploaded to this story.

'GENEVA, Alabama (CNN) -- The gunman responsible for the deadliest crime in Alabama's history worked briefly as a police officer in the small town of Samson, which was hardest hit by Tuesday's deadly rampage, authorities said Wednesday.

Authorities identified the shooter as Michael McLendon, 28, of Kinston, Alabama, in Coffee County. Speaking at several news conferences on Wednesday, authorities also released a detailed timeline of the rampage -- which lasted less than an hour -- and identified the victims.

But they still have no idea of a motive.'

~ Liveleak.com