A Memphis mother is facing a first-degree murder charge after police say she discovered a man hiding underneath her teenage daughter’s bed and shot him, only to later learn that investigators believe the man had been invited into the home by the daughter.
Authorities say the early morning shooting turned a Memphis residence into a homicide scene, raising questions about what happened inside the home, whether the mother believed she was protecting her family, and how the circumstances surrounding the encounter will affect the legal case.
According to the Memphis Police Department, officers responded to a shooting call around 1:50 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, in the 3000 block of Travis Road. When officers arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim was reportedly discovered outside the home in the front yard with a gunshot wound to the back of his head, according to reports from local media outlets. Police arrested 36-year-old Kendra Scott at the residence while investigators began piecing together what led to the shooting.
Mother Told Police She “Did What She Had To Do”
According to an arrest affidavit, Scott told investigators that she found the man hiding underneath her teenage daughter’s bed.
Police say Scott made a statement indicating she believed she was handling a dangerous situation, telling officers, “I did what I had to do.”
However, investigators later learned information from Scott’s daughter that changed the direction of the case.
The teenager reportedly told police that she had invited the man into the home. This information suggested that the man was not an unknown intruder who entered the house without permission, but rather someone who had been allowed inside by the daughter.
That detail is expected to become a major focus as prosecutors and defense attorneys examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Police Investigate What Happened Before The Shooting
Authorities have not publicly released many details about the moments between Scott discovering the man under the bed and the shooting that followed.
Investigators have not said whether the man had any weapon, how long he had been inside the residence, or what conversation or confrontation took place before gunfire erupted.
Police also have not revealed whether the victim and Scott’s daughter knew each other before the incident or how the man ended up inside the bedroom.
The case remains under investigation as detectives continue reviewing evidence and statements from those involved.
Daughter Allegedly Recalled Previous Warning From Mother
The arrest affidavit reportedly included another statement from Scott’s daughter that investigators may consider important.
The teenager allegedly told police that her mother had previously warned her against bringing boys into the home. According to the affidavit, Scott had said that if her daughter ever brought a boy inside, she would “put a hole in his a**.”
Prosecutors could examine that statement as they build their case, particularly when determining Scott’s mindset and intentions before the shooting.
However, statements contained in arrest documents are allegations and do not represent a final determination of guilt. Scott will have the opportunity to challenge the accusations in court.
Scott Faces Multiple Charges
The Memphis Police Department confirmed that Scott was charged with first-degree murder and employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.
The charges indicate prosecutors believe the shooting was intentional and legally qualifies as a serious criminal offense.
Scott’s defense team may focus on whether she believed she or her daughter was in danger and whether her actions were legally justified under Tennessee law.
Self-Defense Questions Could Become Central To Case
The case is expected to raise questions about self-defense and home protection laws.
In Tennessee, a person may use deadly force if they reasonably believe it is immediately necessary to protect themselves or another person from an imminent threat of death, serious bodily injury, or certain serious crimes.
The law also provides certain protections for people who use force against someone who unlawfully and forcibly enters a residence. However, investigators will likely examine whether the man’s presence inside the home qualifies under those circumstances.
A key issue in Scott’s case may be whether the man was an intruder or whether he had permission to be inside the residence.
Because police say the daughter invited him into the home, prosecutors could argue that the situation was different from a forced break-in.
Similar Cases Have Produced Different Outcomes
Cases involving parents confronting people found inside their children’s rooms have produced different legal outcomes depending on the circumstances.
In some cases, courts have considered whether the homeowner had a reasonable belief that someone posed an immediate threat. Evidence such as forced entry, threats, movements by the person inside the home, and witness testimony have all played important roles.
Legal experts say that simply discovering someone inside a home does not automatically justify the use of deadly force. Investigators typically examine whether there was an immediate danger and whether the response was reasonable under the circumstances.
In Scott’s case, authorities will likely focus on what she knew at the moment she encountered the man, whether she believed her daughter was in danger, and whether the shooting was necessary.
Investigation Continues
Police have not released the identity of the man who was killed, and officials have not announced additional details about the motive or circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Scott remains accused of the charges against her, and the case will move through the court system, where evidence will be presented and reviewed.
The central questions remain: What happened when Scott entered her daughter’s room, what did she believe was happening, and whether her actions were legally justified?
Investigators and prosecutors will continue working to answer those questions as the case develops.
