Listed most recent to oldest
Tracy Michelle 'Tator' White Wise
Birth: October 17, 1974
Death: March 10, 2009
Obituary
Mrs. Tracy Michelle "Tator" Wise, of Samson, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2009, in Samson. She was 34. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in First Baptist Church of Samson with the Revs. Sam Totten, Bill Odom, Richard Thorn, Wendell Ard and John Paul Dean officiating. Burial will follow in the Reese Cemetery with Pittman Funeral Home of Samson directing. Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2009, in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Samson. Flowers will be accepted, or donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 1100 Ireland Way, Suite 203, Birmingham, AL 35205-7001.
Mrs. Wise was born October 17, 1974, in Geneva County. She was a graduate of the University of Alabama where she received a criminal law degree. Prior to her death, she was serving as the magistrate for the City of Samson. She was preceded in death by her father, James Alfred White; her son, Dean James Wise; her grandparents, Hubert and Virginia White; her grandfather, Gerald Harris; nephew, Caleb Wise; brother-in-law, Ed Armstrong; and a special aunt, Mrs. Vera "Dee" Preachers.
Survivors include her husband, Murray Wise of Samson; her mother, Phyllis White of Samson; one sister, Kay (Earl) Johnson of Samson; her grandmother, Voncile Hunter of Andalusia; sister-in-law, Pattie Wise of Geneva; and Nanets Armstrong of Geneva; brother-in-law, Paul Wise of Samson and Roger (Misty) Wise of Samson; a special niece, Robin "Foxy" Armstrong of Geneva; and many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Pittman Funeral Home in Samson, (334) 898-7141, is in charge of arrangements.
Published in the Dothan Eagle on 3/13/2009
Burial: Reese Baptist Church Cemetery, Samson, Geneva County, Alabama, USA
Geneva County Massacre - March 10, 2009
The victims were:
- Lisa White McLendon, 52, Michael McLendon's mother
- James Alford White, 55, McLendon's uncle
- Tracy Michelle Wise, 34, daughter of James White
- Dean James Wise, 15, son of Tracy Wise
- Virginia E. White, 74, McLendon's grandmother
- Andrea Dawn Myers, 31
- Corrine Gracy Myers, 18 months, daughter of Andrea Myers
- James Irvin Starling, 24
- Sonya Lolley Smith, 43
- Bruce Wilson Maloy, 51
FindAGrave.com
Don Atwell - Mar. 12, 2009
View on FindAGrave.com
Alabama Department of Public Safety
MONTGOMERY – State, federal and local investigators responding to the multiple homicides March 10 in south Alabama are piecing together the sequence of events that resulted in the shooting deaths of 10 victims, the injury of six individuals, and the death of the suspect from a self-inflicted gunshot. Investigators also are working to determine a motive for the deadly attacks.
The gunman has been identified as Michael Kenneth McLendon, 28, of Coffee County.
We believe the attacks began at McLendon's mother's residence in Coffee County on County Road 474 in Kinston, where McLendon also lived. The body of a woman was discovered at the residence at approximately 3:30 p.m. when local firefighters responded to witness reports of a fire at that location. The Department of Forensic Sciences is working to confirm the identity, but the victim is believed to be Lisa White McLendon, 52, McLendon's mother.
McLendon then traveled to Samson in Geneva County, where he shot and killed five individuals on the front porch of his uncle's residence on West Pullum Street. The victims are identified as:
- Corrine Gracy Myers, 18 months, the daughter of Geneva County Deputy Josh Myers
- Andrea D. Myers, 31, mother of the 18-month-old and wife of Deputy Myers
- James Alford White, 55, identified as McLendon's uncle
- Tracy Michelle Wise, 34, identified as McLendon's cousin
- Dean James Wise, 15, identified as Ms. Wise's son and McLendon's second cousin
Injured at that residence was 4-month-old Ella K. Myers, the daughter of Deputy Myers. Ella was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. This morning she was listed in stable condition and scheduled for surgery.
McLendon then shot and killed Virginia E. White, 74, identified as McLendon's grandmother, who was standing in the doorway of her home on Pullum Street, next door to the residence where the first attack occurred.
McLendon then left Pullum Street, traveling north on Wise Street in a red 2003 Mitsubishi. On Wise Street, McLendon shot and killed a pedestrian, James Irvin Starling, 24. McLendon continued north onto Main Street in Samson, where he shot and injured Jeffrey Lynn Nelson, 50.
McLendon then traveled to the Inland Gas Station on Main Street in Samson, where he shot and killed Sonja Smith, 43. Injured at that location was Greg McCullough, 49. McLendon continued traveling east on Alabama 52, firing rounds into several businesses and vehicles as he drove.
At 4:01 p.m. CDT, an Alabama state trooper notified the Dothan State Trooper Post that he had received a report of a subject shooting at people in Samson, and the trooper proceeded toward Samson on Alabama 52.
McLendon, traveling east on Highway 52 toward Geneva, then shot and killed Bruce Wilson Malloy, 51, who was traveling in a vehicle on 52.
At 4:06 p.m. CDT, the Alabama state trooper encountered McLendon on Alabama 52, and McLendon fired at least seven rounds into the trooper's vehicle. The trooper, Mike Gillis, was injured slightly by broken glass, and continued the pursuit on McLendon into Geneva.
The Geneva Police Department attempted to stop McLendon using a PIT, or pursuit intervention maneuver, in front of the Wal-Mart in Geneva. McLendon fired several rounds into the officer's vehicle, injuring him with glass fragments. Geneva Police Chief Frankie Lindsey attempted to block McLendon's exit from the area, at which time McLendon fired several rounds at the chief. Chief Lindsey was wounded in the shoulder.
McLendon continued on Highway 52, turned onto Maple Avenue in Geneva, and then onto Highway 27 north. He stopped at Reliable Products in Geneva at 4:17 p.m., where he exited his vehicle. McLendon exchanged fire with a Geneva County deputy and a state Conservation officer before entering the Reliable Products building. Within minutes, gunshots were heard, and McLendon was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
McLendon was employed at Kelley Foods of Alabama. We have identified that in 2003, he was briefly employed as a police officer in Samson, but failed to complete required training at the police academy in Montgomery. He had no known criminal record.
McLendon was armed with two assault rifles, an SKS and a Bushmaster, using high-capacity magazines taped together; a shotgun; and a .38-caliber handgun. At this time we believe that he fired in excess of 200 rounds during the assaults.
In addition to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, agencies participating in the investigation are the Geneva County Sheriff's Department, Geneva Police Department, Samson Police Department, Coffee County Sheriff's Department, Dothan Police Department, Dale County Sheriff's Department, Andalusia Police Department, Covington County Sheriff's Department, New Brockton Police Department, Ozark Police Department, State Fire Marshal, Alabama Beverage Control Board, Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Forensic Sciences, Emergency Management Agency, Alabama Power Company investigators, the FBI, ATF, and Ft. Rucker Police Department.
Other News Links
March 2009 - V.O.C.A.L. Samson Massacre Story
Wikipedia - Geneva County Massacre
Michael McLendon - Murderpedia.com
Dean James Wise
Birth: January 31, 1994
Death: March 10, 2009
Obituary
Mr. Dean James Wise of Samson passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2009 in Samson. He was 15. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in the First Baptist Church of Samson. Burial will follow in the Reese Cemetery with Pittman Funeral Home of Samson directing. Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2009 in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Samson, Alabama.
Dean was born January 31, 1994 in Coffee County. He was a 9th grade student at Samson High School. He was preceded in death by his mother, Tracy Michelle Wise; grandparents, Alfred White; Bobby and Anita Wise; great-grandparents, Hubert & Virginia White and Mary Lou & James Berry Dean; a cousin, Caleb Wise; and his uncle, Ed Armstrong.
Pittman Funeral Home in Samson, (334) 898-7141, is in charge of arrangements.
Published in the Dothan Eagle on 3/13/2009
Burial: Reese Baptist Church Cemetery, Samson, Geneva County, Alabama, USA
Geneva County Massacre - March 10, 2009
The victims were:
- Lisa White McLendon, 52, Michael McLendon's mother
- James Alford White, 55, McLendon's uncle
- Tracy Michelle Wise, 34, daughter of James White
- Dean James Wise, 15, son of Tracy Wise
- Virginia E. White, 74, McLendon's grandmother
- Andrea Dawn Myers, 31
- Corrine Gracy Myers, 18 months, daughter of Andrea Myers
- James Irvin Starling, 24
- Sonya Lolley Smith, 43
- Bruce Wilson Maloy, 51
FindAGrave.com
Don Atwell - Mar. 12, 2009
View on FindAGrave.com
Alabama Department of Public Safety
MONTGOMERY – State, federal and local investigators responding to the multiple homicides March 10 in south Alabama are piecing together the sequence of events that resulted in the shooting deaths of 10 victims, the injury of six individuals, and the death of the suspect from a self-inflicted gunshot. Investigators also are working to determine a motive for the deadly attacks.
The gunman has been identified as Michael Kenneth McLendon, 28, of Coffee County.
We believe the attacks began at McLendon's mother's residence in Coffee County on County Road 474 in Kinston, where McLendon also lived. The body of a woman was discovered at the residence at approximately 3:30 p.m. when local firefighters responded to witness reports of a fire at that location. The Department of Forensic Sciences is working to confirm the identity, but the victim is believed to be Lisa White McLendon, 52, McLendon's mother.
McLendon then traveled to Samson in Geneva County, where he shot and killed five individuals on the front porch of his uncle's residence on West Pullum Street. The victims are identified as:
- Corrine Gracy Myers, 18 months, the daughter of Geneva County Deputy Josh Myers
- Andrea D. Myers, 31, mother of the 18-month-old and wife of Deputy Myers
- James Alford White, 55, identified as McLendon's uncle
- Tracy Michelle Wise, 34, identified as McLendon's cousin
- Dean James Wise, 15, identified as Ms. Wise's son and McLendon's second cousin
Injured at that residence was 4-month-old Ella K. Myers, the daughter of Deputy Myers. Ella was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. This morning she was listed in stable condition and scheduled for surgery.
McLendon then shot and killed Virginia E. White, 74, identified as McLendon's grandmother, who was standing in the doorway of her home on Pullum Street, next door to the residence where the first attack occurred.
McLendon then left Pullum Street, traveling north on Wise Street in a red 2003 Mitsubishi. On Wise Street, McLendon shot and killed a pedestrian, James Irvin Starling, 24. McLendon continued north onto Main Street in Samson, where he shot and injured Jeffrey Lynn Nelson, 50.
McLendon then traveled to the Inland Gas Station on Main Street in Samson, where he shot and killed Sonja Smith, 43. Injured at that location was Greg McCullough, 49. McLendon continued traveling east on Alabama 52, firing rounds into several businesses and vehicles as he drove.
At 4:01 p.m. CDT, an Alabama state trooper notified the Dothan State Trooper Post that he had received a report of a subject shooting at people in Samson, and the trooper proceeded toward Samson on Alabama 52.
McLendon, traveling east on Highway 52 toward Geneva, then shot and killed Bruce Wilson Malloy, 51, who was traveling in a vehicle on 52.
At 4:06 p.m. CDT, the Alabama state trooper encountered McLendon on Alabama 52, and McLendon fired at least seven rounds into the trooper's vehicle. The trooper, Mike Gillis, was injured slightly by broken glass, and continued the pursuit on McLendon into Geneva.
The Geneva Police Department attempted to stop McLendon using a PIT, or pursuit intervention maneuver, in front of the Wal-Mart in Geneva. McLendon fired several rounds into the officer's vehicle, injuring him with glass fragments. Geneva Police Chief Frankie Lindsey attempted to block McLendon's exit from the area, at which time McLendon fired several rounds at the chief. Chief Lindsey was wounded in the shoulder.
McLendon continued on Highway 52, turned onto Maple Avenue in Geneva, and then onto Highway 27 north. He stopped at Reliable Products in Geneva at 4:17 p.m., where he exited his vehicle. McLendon exchanged fire with a Geneva County deputy and a state Conservation officer before entering the Reliable Products building. Within minutes, gunshots were heard, and McLendon was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
McLendon was employed at Kelley Foods of Alabama. We have identified that in 2003, he was briefly employed as a police officer in Samson, but failed to complete required training at the police academy in Montgomery. He had no known criminal record.
McLendon was armed with two assault rifles, an SKS and a Bushmaster, using high-capacity magazines taped together; a shotgun; and a .38-caliber handgun. At this time we believe that he fired in excess of 200 rounds during the assaults.
In addition to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, agencies participating in the investigation are the Geneva County Sheriff's Department, Geneva Police Department, Samson Police Department, Coffee County Sheriff's Department, Dothan Police Department, Dale County Sheriff's Department, Andalusia Police Department, Covington County Sheriff's Department, New Brockton Police Department, Ozark Police Department, State Fire Marshal, Alabama Beverage Control Board, Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Forensic Sciences, Emergency Management Agency, Alabama Power Company investigators, the FBI, ATF, and Ft. Rucker Police Department.
Other News Links
March 2009 - V.O.C.A.L. Samson Massacre Story
Wikipedia - Geneva County Massacre
Michael McLendon - Murderpedia.com
Virginia Ett Wise White
Birth: March 18, 1934
Death: March 10, 2009
Obituary
Mrs. Virginia Ett Wise White of Samson passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2009, in Samson. She was 74. Funeral services will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in the First Baptist Church of Samson. Burial will follow in the Piney Grove Baptist Church cemetery with Pittman Funeral Home of Samson directing. Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2009 in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Samson.
Mrs. White was born March 18, 1934, in Geneva County to the late James Clifton and Bertha Mae Milton Wise. She was a homemaker, the ideal mother, and a Christian all of her life. She was a member of Sellersville Assembly of God Church.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, James Hubert White; two sons, James Alfred White and Kenneth Hubert White; one daughter, Lisa McLendon; one grandson, Michael McLendon; one brother, Junior Wise.
Pittman Funeral Home in Samson, (334) 898-7141, is in charge of arrangements.
Published in the Dothan Eagle on 3/13/2009
Burial:Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Samson, Geneva County, Alabama, USA
Geneva County Massacre - March 10, 2009
The victims were:
- Lisa White McLendon, 52, Michael McLendon's mother
- James Alford White, 55, McLendon's uncle
- Tracy Michelle Wise, 34, daughter of James White
- Dean James Wise, 15, son of Tracy Wise
- Virginia E. White, 74, McLendon's grandmother
- Andrea Dawn Myers, 31
- Corrine Gracy Myers, 18 months, daughter of Andrea Myers
- James Irvin Starling, 24
- Sonya Lolley Smith, 43
- Bruce Wilson Maloy, 51
FindAGrave.com
Don Atwell - Mar. 12, 2009
View on FindAGrave.com
Alabama Department of Public Safety
MONTGOMERY – State, federal and local investigators responding to the multiple homicides March 10 in south Alabama are piecing together the sequence of events that resulted in the shooting deaths of 10 victims, the injury of six individuals, and the death of the suspect from a self-inflicted gunshot. Investigators also are working to determine a motive for the deadly attacks.
The gunman has been identified as Michael Kenneth McLendon, 28, of Coffee County.
We believe the attacks began at McLendon's mother's residence in Coffee County on County Road 474 in Kinston, where McLendon also lived. The body of a woman was discovered at the residence at approximately 3:30 p.m. when local firefighters responded to witness reports of a fire at that location. The Department of Forensic Sciences is working to confirm the identity, but the victim is believed to be Lisa White McLendon, 52, McLendon's mother.
McLendon then traveled to Samson in Geneva County, where he shot and killed five individuals on the front porch of his uncle's residence on West Pullum Street. The victims are identified as:
- Corrine Gracy Myers, 18 months, the daughter of Geneva County Deputy Josh Myers
- Andrea D. Myers, 31, mother of the 18-month-old and wife of Deputy Myers
- James Alford White, 55, identified as McLendon's uncle
- Tracy Michelle Wise, 34, identified as McLendon's cousin
- Dean James Wise, 15, identified as Ms. Wise's son and McLendon's second cousin
Injured at that residence was 4-month-old Ella K. Myers, the daughter of Deputy Myers. Ella was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. This morning she was listed in stable condition and scheduled for surgery.
McLendon then shot and killed Virginia E. White, 74, identified as McLendon's grandmother, who was standing in the doorway of her home on Pullum Street, next door to the residence where the first attack occurred.
McLendon then left Pullum Street, traveling north on Wise Street in a red 2003 Mitsubishi. On Wise Street, McLendon shot and killed a pedestrian, James Irvin Starling, 24. McLendon continued north onto Main Street in Samson, where he shot and injured Jeffrey Lynn Nelson, 50.
McLendon then traveled to the Inland Gas Station on Main Street in Samson, where he shot and killed Sonja Smith, 43. Injured at that location was Greg McCullough, 49. McLendon continued traveling east on Alabama 52, firing rounds into several businesses and vehicles as he drove.
At 4:01 p.m. CDT, an Alabama state trooper notified the Dothan State Trooper Post that he had received a report of a subject shooting at people in Samson, and the trooper proceeded toward Samson on Alabama 52.
McLendon, traveling east on Highway 52 toward Geneva, then shot and killed Bruce Wilson Malloy, 51, who was traveling in a vehicle on 52.
At 4:06 p.m. CDT, the Alabama state trooper encountered McLendon on Alabama 52, and McLendon fired at least seven rounds into the trooper's vehicle. The trooper, Mike Gillis, was injured slightly by broken glass, and continued the pursuit on McLendon into Geneva.
The Geneva Police Department attempted to stop McLendon using a PIT, or pursuit intervention maneuver, in front of the Wal-Mart in Geneva. McLendon fired several rounds into the officer's vehicle, injuring him with glass fragments. Geneva Police Chief Frankie Lindsey attempted to block McLendon's exit from the area, at which time McLendon fired several rounds at the chief. Chief Lindsey was wounded in the shoulder.
McLendon continued on Highway 52, turned onto Maple Avenue in Geneva, and then onto Highway 27 north. He stopped at Reliable Products in Geneva at 4:17 p.m., where he exited his vehicle. McLendon exchanged fire with a Geneva County deputy and a state Conservation officer before entering the Reliable Products building. Within minutes, gunshots were heard, and McLendon was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
McLendon was employed at Kelley Foods of Alabama. We have identified that in 2003, he was briefly employed as a police officer in Samson, but failed to complete required training at the police academy in Montgomery. He had no known criminal record.
McLendon was armed with two assault rifles, an SKS and a Bushmaster, using high-capacity magazines taped together; a shotgun; and a .38-caliber handgun. At this time we believe that he fired in excess of 200 rounds during the assaults.
In addition to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, agencies participating in the investigation are the Geneva County Sheriff's Department, Geneva Police Department, Samson Police Department, Coffee County Sheriff's Department, Dothan Police Department, Dale County Sheriff's Department, Andalusia Police Department, Covington County Sheriff's Department, New Brockton Police Department, Ozark Police Department, State Fire Marshal, Alabama Beverage Control Board, Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Forensic Sciences, Emergency Management Agency, Alabama Power Company investigators, the FBI, ATF, and Ft. Rucker Police Department.
Other News Links
March 2009 - V.O.C.A.L. Samson Massacre Story
Wikipedia - Geneva County Massacre
Michael McLendon - Murderpedia.com
James Alfred White
Birth: July 13, 1953
Death: March 10, 2009
Obituary
Mr. James Alfred White of Samson passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2009, in Samson. He was 55. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in the First Baptist Church of Samson with the Revs. Sam Totten, Bill Odom, Richard Thorn, Wendell Ard, and John Paul Dean officiating. Burial will follow in the Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with Pittman Funeral Home of Samson directing. Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m., Monday, March 16, 2009, in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Samson, Alabama.
Mr. White was born July 13, 1953, in Geneva County to the late Hubert and Virginia Ett Wise White. Prior to his retirement he worked for the City of Samson as the water superintendent. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one daughter, Tracy Michelle "Tator" Wise; one grandson, Dean "Deano" Wise; father-in-law, Gerald Harris; one sister, Lisa McClendon; and one brother, Kenneth Hubert White and a very special aunt, Vera "Dee" Preachers.
Survivors include his wife, Phyllis White of Samson; one daughter, Kay (Earl) Johnson of Samson; one son-in-law, Murray Wise of Samson; his grandchildren, Trey "Hey T" and Troy "Reg" Johnson of Samson; sister-in-law, Teresa (Michael) Hudson of Joyce, La.; brother-in-law, Velma Hunter of Andalusia.
Pittman Funeral Home in Samson, (334) 898-7141, is in charge of arrangements.
Published in the Dothan Eagle on 3/13/2009
Burial:Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Samson, Geneva County, Alabama, USA
Geneva County Massacre - March 10, 2009
The victims were:
- Lisa White McLendon, 52, Michael McLendon's mother
- James Alford White, 55, McLendon's uncle
- Tracy Michelle Wise, 34, daughter of James White
- Dean James Wise, 15, son of Tracy Wise
- Virginia E. White, 74, McLendon's grandmother
- Andrea Dawn Myers, 31
- Corrine Gracy Myers, 18 months, daughter of Andrea Myers
- James Irvin Starling, 24
- Sonya Lolley Smith, 43
- Bruce Wilson Maloy, 51
FindAGrave.com
Don Atwell - Mar. 12, 2009
View on FindAGrave.com
Alabama Department of Public Safety
MONTGOMERY – State, federal and local investigators responding to the multiple homicides March 10 in south Alabama are piecing together the sequence of events that resulted in the shooting deaths of 10 victims, the injury of six individuals, and the death of the suspect from a self-inflicted gunshot. Investigators also are working to determine a motive for the deadly attacks.
The gunman has been identified as Michael Kenneth McLendon, 28, of Coffee County.
We believe the attacks began at McLendon's mother's residence in Coffee County on County Road 474 in Kinston, where McLendon also lived. The body of a woman was discovered at the residence at approximately 3:30 p.m. when local firefighters responded to witness reports of a fire at that location. The Department of Forensic Sciences is working to confirm the identity, but the victim is believed to be Lisa White McLendon, 52, McLendon's mother.
McLendon then traveled to Samson in Geneva County, where he shot and killed five individuals on the front porch of his uncle's residence on West Pullum Street. The victims are identified as:
- Corrine Gracy Myers, 18 months, the daughter of Geneva County Deputy Josh Myers
- Andrea D. Myers, 31, mother of the 18-month-old and wife of Deputy Myers
- James Alford White, 55, identified as McLendon's uncle
- Tracy Michelle Wise, 34, identified as McLendon's cousin
- Dean James Wise, 15, identified as Ms. Wise's son and McLendon's second cousin
Injured at that residence was 4-month-old Ella K. Myers, the daughter of Deputy Myers. Ella was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. This morning she was listed in stable condition and scheduled for surgery.
McLendon then shot and killed Virginia E. White, 74, identified as McLendon's grandmother, who was standing in the doorway of her home on Pullum Street, next door to the residence where the first attack occurred.
McLendon then left Pullum Street, traveling north on Wise Street in a red 2003 Mitsubishi. On Wise Street, McLendon shot and killed a pedestrian, James Irvin Starling, 24. McLendon continued north onto Main Street in Samson, where he shot and injured Jeffrey Lynn Nelson, 50.
McLendon then traveled to the Inland Gas Station on Main Street in Samson, where he shot and killed Sonja Smith, 43. Injured at that location was Greg McCullough, 49. McLendon continued traveling east on Alabama 52, firing rounds into several businesses and vehicles as he drove.
At 4:01 p.m. CDT, an Alabama state trooper notified the Dothan State Trooper Post that he had received a report of a subject shooting at people in Samson, and the trooper proceeded toward Samson on Alabama 52.
McLendon, traveling east on Highway 52 toward Geneva, then shot and killed Bruce Wilson Malloy, 51, who was traveling in a vehicle on 52.
At 4:06 p.m. CDT, the Alabama state trooper encountered McLendon on Alabama 52, and McLendon fired at least seven rounds into the trooper's vehicle. The trooper, Mike Gillis, was injured slightly by broken glass, and continued the pursuit on McLendon into Geneva.
The Geneva Police Department attempted to stop McLendon using a PIT, or pursuit intervention maneuver, in front of the Wal-Mart in Geneva. McLendon fired several rounds into the officer's vehicle, injuring him with glass fragments. Geneva Police Chief Frankie Lindsey attempted to block McLendon's exit from the area, at which time McLendon fired several rounds at the chief. Chief Lindsey was wounded in the shoulder.
McLendon continued on Highway 52, turned onto Maple Avenue in Geneva, and then onto Highway 27 north. He stopped at Reliable Products in Geneva at 4:17 p.m., where he exited his vehicle. McLendon exchanged fire with a Geneva County deputy and a state Conservation officer before entering the Reliable Products building. Within minutes, gunshots were heard, and McLendon was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
McLendon was employed at Kelley Foods of Alabama. We have identified that in 2003, he was briefly employed as a police officer in Samson, but failed to complete required training at the police academy in Montgomery. He had no known criminal record.
McLendon was armed with two assault rifles, an SKS and a Bushmaster, using high-capacity magazines taped together; a shotgun; and a .38-caliber handgun. At this time we believe that he fired in excess of 200 rounds during the assaults.
In addition to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, agencies participating in the investigation are the Geneva County Sheriff's Department, Geneva Police Department, Samson Police Department, Coffee County Sheriff's Department, Dothan Police Department, Dale County Sheriff's Department, Andalusia Police Department, Covington County Sheriff's Department, New Brockton Police Department, Ozark Police Department, State Fire Marshal, Alabama Beverage Control Board, Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Forensic Sciences, Emergency Management Agency, Alabama Power Company investigators, the FBI, ATF, and Ft. Rucker Police Department.
Other News Links
March 2009 - V.O.C.A.L. Samson Massacre Story
Wikipedia - Geneva County Massacre
Michael McLendon - Murderpedia.com
James Irvin Starling
Birth: March 16, 1984
Death: March 10, 2009
Obituary
No obituary found.
Wife: Elizabeth Helms Starline
Children: Shera and Shelly Starling
Parents: Tommy and Jean Starling
Siblings: Tommy Lavelle Starling
Burial: Columbia Cemetery, Columbia, Houston County, Alabama, USA
Criminal Details
Geneva County Massacre - March 10, 2009
The victims were:
- Lisa White McLendon, 52, Michael McLendon's mother
- James Alford White, 55, McLendon's uncle
- Tracy Michelle Wise, 34, daughter of James White
- Dean James Wise, 15, son of Tracy Wise
- Virginia E. White, 74, McLendon's grandmother
- Andrea Dawn Myers, 31
- Corrine Gracy Myers, 18 months, daughter of Andrea Myers
- James Irvin Starling, 24
- Sonya Lolley Smith, 43
- Bruce Wilson Maloy, 51
FindAGrave.com
Don Atwell - Mar. 12, 2009
View on FindAGrave.com
Alabama Department of Public Safety
MONTGOMERY – State, federal and local investigators responding to the multiple homicides March 10 in south Alabama are piecing together the sequence of events that resulted in the shooting deaths of 10 victims, the injury of six individuals, and the death of the suspect from a self-inflicted gunshot. Investigators also are working to determine a motive for the deadly attacks.
The gunman has been identified as Michael Kenneth McLendon, 28, of Coffee County.
We believe the attacks began at McLendon's mother's residence in Coffee County on County Road 474 in Kinston, where McLendon also lived. The body of a woman was discovered at the residence at approximately 3:30 p.m. when local firefighters responded to witness reports of a fire at that location. The Department of Forensic Sciences is working to confirm the identity, but the victim is believed to be Lisa White McLendon, 52, McLendon's mother.
McLendon then traveled to Samson in Geneva County, where he shot and killed five individuals on the front porch of his uncle's residence on West Pullum Street. The victims are identified as:
- Corrine Gracy Myers, 18 months, the daughter of Geneva County Deputy Josh Myers
- Andrea D. Myers, 31, mother of the 18-month-old and wife of Deputy Myers
- James Alford White, 55, identified as McLendon's uncle
- Tracy Michelle Wise, 34, identified as McLendon's cousin
- Dean James Wise, 15, identified as Ms. Wise's son and McLendon's second cousin
Injured at that residence was 4-month-old Ella K. Myers, the daughter of Deputy Myers. Ella was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. This morning she was listed in stable condition and scheduled for surgery.
McLendon then shot and killed Virginia E. White, 74, identified as McLendon's grandmother, who was standing in the doorway of her home on Pullum Street, next door to the residence where the first attack occurred.
McLendon then left Pullum Street, traveling north on Wise Street in a red 2003 Mitsubishi. On Wise Street, McLendon shot and killed a pedestrian, James Irvin Starling, 24. McLendon continued north onto Main Street in Samson, where he shot and injured Jeffrey Lynn Nelson, 50.
McLendon then traveled to the Inland Gas Station on Main Street in Samson, where he shot and killed Sonja Smith, 43. Injured at that location was Greg McCullough, 49. McLendon continued traveling east on Alabama 52, firing rounds into several businesses and vehicles as he drove.
At 4:01 p.m. CDT, an Alabama state trooper notified the Dothan State Trooper Post that he had received a report of a subject shooting at people in Samson, and the trooper proceeded toward Samson on Alabama 52.
McLendon, traveling east on Highway 52 toward Geneva, then shot and killed Bruce Wilson Malloy, 51, who was traveling in a vehicle on 52.
At 4:06 p.m. CDT, the Alabama state trooper encountered McLendon on Alabama 52, and McLendon fired at least seven rounds into the trooper's vehicle. The trooper, Mike Gillis, was injured slightly by broken glass, and continued the pursuit on McLendon into Geneva.
The Geneva Police Department attempted to stop McLendon using a PIT, or pursuit intervention maneuver, in front of the Wal-Mart in Geneva. McLendon fired several rounds into the officer's vehicle, injuring him with glass fragments. Geneva Police Chief Frankie Lindsey attempted to block McLendon's exit from the area, at which time McLendon fired several rounds at the chief. Chief Lindsey was wounded in the shoulder.
McLendon continued on Highway 52, turned onto Maple Avenue in Geneva, and then onto Highway 27 north. He stopped at Reliable Products in Geneva at 4:17 p.m., where he exited his vehicle. McLendon exchanged fire with a Geneva County deputy and a state Conservation officer before entering the Reliable Products building. Within minutes, gunshots were heard, and McLendon was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
McLendon was employed at Kelley Foods of Alabama. We have identified that in 2003, he was briefly employed as a police officer in Samson, but failed to complete required training at the police academy in Montgomery. He had no known criminal record.
McLendon was armed with two assault rifles, an SKS and a Bushmaster, using high-capacity magazines taped together; a shotgun; and a .38-caliber handgun. At this time we believe that he fired in excess of 200 rounds during the assaults.
In addition to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, agencies participating in the investigation are the Geneva County Sheriff's Department, Geneva Police Department, Samson Police Department, Coffee County Sheriff's Department, Dothan Police Department, Dale County Sheriff's Department, Andalusia Police Department, Covington County Sheriff's Department, New Brockton Police Department, Ozark Police Department, State Fire Marshal, Alabama Beverage Control Board, Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Forensic Sciences, Emergency Management Agency, Alabama Power Company investigators, the FBI, ATF, and Ft. Rucker Police Department.
Other News Links
March 2009 - V.O.C.A.L. Samson Massacre Story
Wikipedia - Geneva County Massacre
Michael McLendon - Murderpedia.com
Sonya Marie Lolley Smith
Birth: February 7, 1966
Death: March 10, 2009
Obituary
Mrs. Sonya Marie Lolley Smith of Samson, Alabama passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2009. She was 43.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 14, in the Shady Grove Assembly of God Church with Rev. Donnie Earles officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Sorrells Funeral Home of Geneva directing. Mrs. Smith will be placed into the church one hour prior to service time. The family will receive friends at the funeral home in Geneva, Friday, March 13, from 6 until 8 p.m. Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the Shady Grove Cemetery Fund.
Sonya was born February 7, 1966, in Orlando, Florida to the late William Grover and Melba Creech Lolley. Sonya was a very loving and devoted wife, mother and sister. She loved everyone, especially her family and coworkers. She was a very hard working person and always saw to the need of everyone. She attended Shady Grove Assembly of God Church.
In addition to her parents, her grandparents, A.D. and Mildred Creech and John and Lula Lolley preceded her in death.
Survivors include her husband Wilfred Wade Smith; one daughter, Chelsea Lee; one son, Wilfred Tyler Smith all of Samson, AL; one step-son, Christopher Wade Smith, Defuniak Springs, FL; one sister, Kathy Lolley; one brother, Freddie Lolley, both of Samson, AL; three nephews, Phillip Doty, Mobile, AL, Charles Doty, Samson, AL and Zach Johnson, Sweet Gum Head, FL; two nieces, Amy Doty, Samson, AL and Brooke Johnson, Chipley, FL; father and mother-in-law, Wilfred and Ruth Smith; sister-in-law, Cindy (Kenny) Jones, all of Sweet Gum Head, FL; several special aunts, uncles, cousins, other extended family and friends.
Burial: Shady Grove Cemetery, Samson, Geneva County, Alabama, USA
Criminal Details
Geneva County Massacre
The victims were:
- Lisa White McLendon, 52, Michael McLendon's mother
- James Alford White, 55, McLendon's uncle
- Tracy Michelle Wise, 34, daughter of James White
- Dean James Wise, 15, son of Tracy Wise
- Virginia E. White, 74, McLendon's grandmother
- Andrea Dawn Myers, 31
- Corrine Gracy Myers, 18 months, daughter of Andrea Myers
- James Irvin Starling, 24
- Sonya Lolley Smith, 43
Bruce Wilson Maloy, 51
FindAGrave.com
Don Atwell - Mar. 12, 2009
View on FindAGrave.com
Alabama Department of Public Safety
MONTGOMERY – State, federal and local investigators responding to the multiple homicides March 10 in south Alabama are piecing together the sequence of events that resulted in the shooting deaths of 10 victims, the injury of six individuals, and the death of the suspect from a self-inflicted gunshot. Investigators also are working to determine a motive for the deadly attacks.
The gunman has been identified as Michael Kenneth McLendon, 28, of Coffee County.
We believe the attacks began at McLendon's mother's residence in Coffee County on County Road 474 in Kinston, where McLendon also lived. The body of a woman was discovered at the residence at approximately 3:30 p.m. when local firefighters responded to witness reports of a fire at that location. The Department of Forensic Sciences is working to confirm the identity, but the victim is believed to be Lisa White McLendon, 52, McLendon's mother.
McLendon then traveled to Samson in Geneva County, where he shot and killed five individuals on the front porch of his uncle's residence on West Pullum Street. The victims are identified as:
- Corrine Gracy Myers, 18 months, the daughter of Geneva County Deputy Josh Myers
- Andrea D. Myers, 31, mother of the 18-month-old and wife of Deputy Myers
- James Alford White, 55, identified as McLendon's uncle
- Tracy Michelle Wise, 34, identified as McLendon's cousin
- Dean James Wise, 15, identified as Ms. Wise's son and McLendon's second cousin
Injured at that residence was 4-month-old Ella K. Myers, the daughter of Deputy Myers. Ella was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. This morning she was listed in stable condition and scheduled for surgery.
McLendon then shot and killed Virginia E. White, 74, identified as McLendon's grandmother, who was standing in the doorway of her home on Pullum Street, next door to the residence where the first attack occurred.
McLendon then left Pullum Street, traveling north on Wise Street in a red 2003 Mitsubishi. On Wise Street, McLendon shot and killed a pedestrian, James Irvin Starling, 24. McLendon continued north onto Main Street in Samson, where he shot and injured Jeffrey Lynn Nelson, 50.
McLendon then traveled to the Inland Gas Station on Main Street in Samson, where he shot and killed Sonja Smith, 43. Injured at that location was Greg McCullough, 49. McLendon continued traveling east on Alabama 52, firing rounds into several businesses and vehicles as he drove.
At 4:01 p.m. CDT, an Alabama state trooper notified the Dothan State Trooper Post that he had received a report of a subject shooting at people in Samson, and the trooper proceeded toward Samson on Alabama 52.
McLendon, traveling east on Highway 52 toward Geneva, then shot and killed Bruce Wilson Malloy, 51, who was traveling in a vehicle on 52.
At 4:06 p.m. CDT, the Alabama state trooper encountered McLendon on Alabama 52, and McLendon fired at least seven rounds into the trooper's vehicle. The trooper, Mike Gillis, was injured slightly by broken glass, and continued the pursuit on McLendon into Geneva.
The Geneva Police Department attempted to stop McLendon using a PIT, or pursuit intervention maneuver, in front of the Wal-Mart in Geneva. McLendon fired several rounds into the officer's vehicle, injuring him with glass fragments. Geneva Police Chief Frankie Lindsey attempted to block McLendon's exit from the area, at which time McLendon fired several rounds at the chief. Chief Lindsey was wounded in the shoulder.
McLendon continued on Highway 52, turned onto Maple Avenue in Geneva, and then onto Highway 27 north. He stopped at Reliable Products in Geneva at 4:17 p.m., where he exited his vehicle. McLendon exchanged fire with a Geneva County deputy and a state Conservation officer before entering the Reliable Products building. Within minutes, gunshots were heard, and McLendon was discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
McLendon was employed at Kelley Foods of Alabama. We have identified that in 2003, he was briefly employed as a police officer in Samson, but failed to complete required training at the police academy in Montgomery. He had no known criminal record.
McLendon was armed with two assault rifles, an SKS and a Bushmaster, using high-capacity magazines taped together; a shotgun; and a .38-caliber handgun. At this time we believe that he fired in excess of 200 rounds during the assaults.
In addition to the Alabama Department of Public Safety, agencies participating in the investigation are the Geneva County Sheriff's Department, Geneva Police Department, Samson Police Department, Coffee County Sheriff's Department, Dothan Police Department, Dale County Sheriff's Department, Andalusia Police Department, Covington County Sheriff's Department, New Brockton Police Department, Ozark Police Department, State Fire Marshal, Alabama Beverage Control Board, Conservation and Natural Resources, Department of Forensic Sciences, Emergency Management Agency, Alabama Power Company investigators, the FBI, ATF, and Ft. Rucker Police Department.
Other News Links
March 2009 - V.O.C.A.L. Samson Massacre Story
Wikipedia - Geneva County Massacre
Michael McLendon - Murderpedia.com
Carolyn Hardy Coskrey
Birth: November 1, 1943
Death: February 17, 2009
Obituary
Mrs. Carolyn Hardy Coskrey of Dothan died Tuesday, February 17, 2009. She was 65. Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. Friday, February 20, 2009 at Memphis Baptist Church with Reverends Ernest O’Neal and Joe Holland officiating. Interment will follow in Memphis Baptist Church Cemetery under the direction of Ward Wilson Funeral Home. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 P.M. Thursday, February 19, 2009. Flowers will be accepted.
Carolyn Hardy Coskrey was born November 1, 1943 to Leonard and Lula Hardy of Cottonwood, AL. She attended Cottonwood High School where she graduated in 1961. She was active in the school and various clubs. She was a licensed cosmotoligst. Her many accomplishments including the Grand Prize for the NPF Cooking Contest in 1967. She was a charter member of the Olympia Garden Club. She was a teacher at Memphis Baptist Church and an active leader of many of the youth. Carolyn was very talented in many areas, which included floral arrangements, home decorator and homemaking.
She is preceded in death by her father, Leonard Hardy.
Carolyn is survived by 3 children, Marsha Stokes and her husband, Rickey, Mark Coskrey and his wife, Christy, Yahnna Holland her husband, Joe, all of Dothan; 8 grandchildren, Emily, John Curtis, Spencer Stokes, Mary Kathryn, Jim, and Jana Holland, Jack and Ben Coskrey, two brothers, Jim Hardy and his wife, Peggy of Orange Beach, Eddie Hardy and his wife, Mary of Panama City, Fl; 2 sisters, Eleanor McClendon and her husband, Johnnie of Foley, Al; and Gail Holcomb and her husband, Bob of Mooreville, Indiana; several nieces and nephews and cousins.
Arrangements by Ward Wilson Funeral Home, 2414 Hartford Highway Dothan, AL 36305
Criminal Details
WTVY.com
February 18, 2009
Authorities say from all appearances 69-year-old John Coskrey shot his wife 65-year-old Carolyn Coskrey and then shot himself. A hand gun and a shotgun were recovered from the scene.
The bodies were found in the bathroom by a family member.
No note was found at the scene, but authorities are pretty certain no foul play was involved.
“Due to our interview with family members and friends we did uncover certain facts that lead us to believe this definitely was a murder suicide,” Sheriff Andy Hughes.
The bodies were transported to Montgomery where autopsies will be performed.
This is the first murder in Houston County outside Dothan city limits this year.
April Elaine Kirby Phillips
Birth: September 1, 1982
Death: October 11, 2008
Obituary
No obituary found.
Burial: Sunset Memorial Park, Midland City, Dale County, Alabama, USA
Criminal Details
San Antonio Express-News
Express-News Staff - Nov. 2, 2008
April Phillips insisted that she led an idyllic life as an Army wife who cared for her 2-year-old son while her husband worked at a San Antonio military hospital.
Her mother, Beth Peters, hoped it was true, but she suspected her daughter - who had a troubled past with drugs in her native Alabama - was putting up the same front Peters had seen before.
On Oct. 11, about two weeks after their last telephone conversation, Phillips, 26, was found beneath an East Side bridge, clad in a T-shirt and shorts and dead from a gunshot wound to the back of her head.
"I should have just gotten on a plane, hog-tied her and forced her to come back home," Peters said, "but she was an adult, and there's only so much you can do with grown children."
The case remains unsolved, and Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.
Samantha McConnell, a resident who lives near the crime scene on Larry Street, said she awoke to the sound of gunshots about 8 a.m. She looked outside her window and saw Phillips' body facedown on an eroded embankment, amidst refuse and other debris beneath the Walters Street bridge.
"It haunts me every day," McConnell said. "It looked like she was trying to run away."
It initially appeared to authorities that Phillips had been the victim of a carjacking, as her Jeep Cherokee was found abandoned days later at a different location. But as the investigation continued, police said they learned that Phillips' death could have been related to drugs.
Fort Sam Houston, where Phillips and her husband lived, is about a quarter-mile from where her body was found, so police have surmised that Phillips might have wandered into the East Side to purchase drugs.
Phillips may have been craving a heroin fix, relatives said, because her husband was enrolled in a drug rehabilitation facility on Oct. 10, the same day the couple lost custody of their 2-year-old son.
On Oct. 9, while the husband was in rehab, a Child Protective Services worker and military police visited the couple's Fort Sam residence to check on the welfare of their toddler, said Kevin Stewart, the uncle of Phillips' husband.
"They found obvious evidence of drug use, so they told April that Child Protective Services would take the child if she did not get a family member to pick him up," Stewart said.
CPS' San Antonio spokeswoman Mary Walker said she could not comment on the case. The military also declined to comment on the investigation.
On Oct. 10, Stewart's wife and sister arrived in San Antonio to get temporary custody of the child.
"April told us that she and (her husband) had a serious problem, and that she was going to check into a rehab that night," Stewart said.
Military police had even threatened to detain her to ensure she enrolled in rehab, but they decided against it because she was a civilian, Stewart said.
"None of us knew these two were so heavily involved in this stuff," Stewart said. "This is a tragedy because two children (Phillips had a 7-year-old son from a previous relationship) won't have a mother."
Peters flew to San Antonio last week with a friend to encourage anyone with information about the homicide to contact Crime Stoppers at (210) 224-STOP or (800) 233-7867.
"She was a loving mother and an extremely loyal friend," Peters said. "I just want people to know that she was truly a good person who made some mistakes."
While driving to the crime scene Thursday, the sight of a young woman panhandling for change haunted Peters.
"I wanted to tell her, 'Give me your momma's phone number so I can tell her where you are before you end up dead under a bridge,'" Peters said.
Peters never spoke to the woman, but she encourages other parents who have concerns about their adult children to follow their instincts and get help.
"If you have a gut feeling that something is wrong, move on it quickly," she said.
Soon after Phillips' husband enlisted in the Army, the couple relocated to San Antonio in 2007. She told her mother that she had experienced marital troubles soon after the move.
Peters said she offered her Dothan, Ala., home as a refuge for Phillips and her son, but her daughter said she was determined to make her marriage work in San Antonio.
"I kept telling her I would go fly to San Antonio and get her," she said, "but she insisted everything was fine."
WTVY.com
Alli Mechanic - Nov. 1, 2013
It has been years since April Phillips was killed, but her mother still smiles when she thinks of her.
“April was very enthusiastic, charismatic, she always just larger than life she had a huge laugh, raspy voice she was only 5 feet tall but when she entered a room you knew it she caught everyone’s attention I guess you could say,” explained April’s mother, Beth Peters.
This past October marked the five year anniversary of Phillips’ death. She was shot five times in the back of head by Quinton Cox. He was convicted in 2010 and is currently serving a 55 year sentence but April’s mother says there is more to the story.
“Quinton Cox is the shooter, no doubt about that, no doubt about that. but there is more to what she was doing in that area, who was looking for her and the reasons why and we have been finally able to connect that after five years of going through mounds of paper work and getting records from everywhere that we could,” said Peters.
After contacting authorities in San Antonio with her findings, Peters is planning on returning to the city where her daughter was killed to get the justice she believes April deserves.
“I was first told that we were not going to go back there, that we weren’t going to do this. You know they have hundreds of homicides just in the city alone every year and it is a done deal and so we just kept pushing forward and going to different entities to listen to us. We found some people that will listen to us so we will just see what will happen,” said Peters.
Peters says that even after all of their work she knows that they still may not get the justice they are looking for but she remains positive “We are hopeful that we will get a grand jury indictment against at least two people. I wouldn’t want to say who those two people are right now but that is what we are hopeful for,” said Peters. “With that we could get some peace.”
For safety reasons Peters would not say when she was going to San Antonio but she did explain that her ideal outcome would be for those involved in the murder of her daughter to be charged accordingly.
MyDeathSpace.com
Oct. 29, 2008
Beth Peters may have been hundreds of miles away, but she knew something was wrong.
Peters hadn't talked with her 26-year-old daughter, April Phillips, in three weeks.
On Oct. 14, Peters' worst fears were confirmed. The body of her eldest daughter, who was a mother of two, was found underneath a bridge on the city's east side.
"At first, I didn't believe it at all," Peters said in an interview Monday with KSAT 12 News.
Police said that Phillips was shot to death and most likely it was drug-related.
"She was in way over her head," Peters said. "She had convinced me that everything was going well, but she was that type of person that would cover up things going on that were bad in her life."
Peters flew in from Alabama in hopes of finding out more information about her daughter's death. She visited the bridge where her daughter was found. Peters admits it was difficult, but felt it was something she had to do.
Crime Stoppers is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the case.
Peters said a tip may help solve the case and provide her with closure.
"It might be the one piece of the puzzle we need to put it all together," she said.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 210-224-7867.