Authorities: Revenge for mother's shooting may be motive in courthouse homicide

A Canton man is charged with murder after pulling up to the Madison County Courthouse and allegedly shooting another man in the chest point-blank before a hearing Monday morning, officials said.

It sounds as though it almost played out like a movie. Officials said Kendrick Brown, 37, was on his way to a status hearing to turn down a plea deal and schedule trial for later on this month when William Wells, 24, who had no prior record, allegedly drove up, got out of the vehicle and shot him in the chest.

One clear connection between the two men was that District Attorney Michael Guest said Wells’ mother, Sherry Wells, was set to testify against Brown.

Canton Police Chief Otha Brown confirmed that Sherry Wells was shot in the leg on Saturday.

"The mother did get shot Saturday night when she was getting ready to go to work,” Chief Brown said. “Someone shot into the vehicle and hit her in the leg."

Sherry Brown has been released from the hospital, but "we don't know where she is," the chief said.

As to the motive for the shooting, Sheriff Randy Tucker said he didn’t want to speculate until he had talked to William Wells. Kendrick Brown had not been charged in Sherry Wells’ shooting, however Guest said given the information, it could conceivably be a retaliation.

"That's how it appears," he said. "The sheriff's office was going to speak with the shooter, and that does appear that it could be the motivation for this shooting."

Guest said Kendrick Brown was not cooperating with the District Attorney’s office or any law enforcement agency as a witness.

“He was prepared to go to trial and would have been facing a lengthy prison sentence if convicted on the charges on which he’d been indicted,” Guest said.

Kendrick Brown was indicted for sale of cocaine and conspiracy to sell cocaine, and he was charged as a habitual offender. Had he been convicted, he would have been sentenced to the maximum term of incarceration and would be ineligible for parole, probation, or any other reduction.

Kendrick Brown’s attorney was with him when he was shot and saw the whole thing, Guest said. The two were on the walkway in front of the courthouse when officials said Wells allegedly walked up and shot him in the chest with a semi-automatic handgun.

Witnesses said after shooting Brown, allegedly Wells stood over him momentarily and said something to him. Then he laid his gun on the ground and surrendered to authorities.

Coroner Alex Breeland confirmed that Brown was pronounced dead on the scene of a single gunshot wound to the chest around 9:05 a.m.

Tucker said there were deputies on duty who saw the shooting occur.

Wells is scheduled for an initial appearance Tuesday at 1 p.m. in Madison County Justice Court.

TIMELINE:

3:10 p.m. update

District Attorney Michael Guest said William Wells' mother, Sherry Wells, was scheduled to testify against Kendrick Brown. She was shot over the weekend, and Guest said it's possible that the motive for William Wells' alleged shooting of Kendrick Brown could be retaliation.

"That's how it appears," he said. "The sheriff's office was going to speak with the shooter, and that does appear that it could be the motivation for this shooting."

2:50 p.m. update

William Wells is charged with murder in the shooting death of Kendrick Brown.

1:30 p.m. update

Wells is currently in the Madison County Jail. He has a bond hearing Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.

1:10 p.m. update

Sheriff Randy Tucker confirms the name of the shooter is William Wells, 24. According to Sheriff's Department spokesman Heath Hall, Wells has no known priors.

Canton Police Chief Otha Brown said Wells' mother was injured in a shooting over the weekend. There has been speculation that Wells may have shot Kendrick Brown in retaliation for his mother's shooting.

"That's something we were looking at, but we don't know definitely if that's true, but those are the rumors we're hearing," said Otha Brown. "The mother did get shot Saturday night when she was getting ready to go to work. Someone shot into the vehicle and hit her in the leg."

Sherry Wells has been released from the hospital, Otha Brown said.

"We don't know where she is, but she's fine," he said.

10:44 a.m. update

EMS is at the home of Kendrick Brown to treat his mother and brother. Family said the brother was on the scene of the shooting. Neither were injured in the shooting. Treatment is for anxiety brought on by the shock of Brown's death.

10:34 a.m. update

District Attorney Michael Guest dispelled rumors that Brown was shot because he was a drug informant. He said the victim had a long drug history and was not cooperating with any law enforcement or the DA's office as a witness.

10:29 a.m. update

Multiple witnesses have told The Clarion-Ledger that the shooter stood over a dying Brown talking to him, but they were uncertain as to what the shooter said.

10:22 a.m. update

Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker updated press about the shooting outside the courthouse.

He would not confirm the identity of the shooter or discuss motives.

Tucker said the shooter waited for the victim at the courthouse, walked up to him, shot him in the chest and then immediately laid down his weapon and surrendered.

"Deputies did what they were supposed to do and immediately took the shooter into custody," Tucker said.

District Attorney Michael Guest said Brown's attorney witnessed the shooting. The district attorney said Brown was expected to reject a plea deal today.

"My office has very great trust in local law enforcement. In my opinion this shooting could not have been prevented," Guest said.

10:16 a.m. update

Madison County Coroner Alex Breeland confirmed that Brown died of a single gunshot to the chest. He was pronounced dead at 9:05 a.m.

10:13 a.m. update

Sources on the scene tell The Clarion-Ledger that the shooter's mother was scheduled to testify against Kendrick Brown in his upcoming trial. The shooter's mother was allegedly shot over the weekend. Law enforcement will neither confirm nor deny the report.

Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker has scheduled an 11 a.m. press conference.

10:08 a.m. update

Sources at the scene say the shooter walked up to Kendrick Brown, shot him and then surrendered himself to authorities.

The shooter, who has not been identified, seems to be known by several people at the scene. he was reportedly a Canton High School graduate.

10:01 a.m. update

According to a Feb. 10 indictment, Brown faced drug charges for selling cocaine and conspiracy to sell cocaine.

Members of Brown's family at the scene of the shooting said the shooter is a local fireman, but that has not been confirmed. Authorities have not released the name of the shooter at this time.

9:56 a.m. update

District Attorney Michael Guest said Kendrick Brown was scheduled for a status conference on his case for today. Brown was scheduled for trial later this month.

9:48 a.m. update

Kayce McPherson, a friend of Kendrick Brown, said, "He was a good guy. He loved his son. He didn't mess with nobody." McPherson described Brown as a giving person and said he didn't do anything that would have caused him to be shot to death.

"Regardless of what anybody says about his lifestyle, he was a good man," McPherson said.

9:45 a.m. update

Law enforcement sources say Kendrick Brown was on the circuit court docket today for drug-related charges.

9:34 a.m. update

Family members identify the shooting victim as Kendrick Brown.

Brown was reportedly on the docket for circuit court today. It is unclear if the shooting is related to this case or not.

There is a LaKendrick Brown on the Madison County court docket for armed robbery of a dwelling. It has not been confirmed that this is the same person.

9:24 a.m. update

Shooting took place outside the courthouse complex in front of circuit court. Victim has been identified, but name is not being released pending notification of next of kin.

9:16 a.m. update

Source says one dead at the scene of the Madison County courthouse shooting. Shooter has reportedly surrendered to Canton police.

9:10 a.m. update

Shooting happened approximately 30 minutes ago.

9:08 a.m update

Canton police has now confirmed the shooting.

Original story

A state official confirms that there is a shooting at the Madison County courthouse. The shooting reportedly took place in the parking lot of the newer courthouse in Canton.

Reporters Therese Apel (@Trex21) and Sarah Fowler (@FowlerSarah) are providing updates from the scene.

This is a breaking story with details to come.