Memphis Mother Charged With Murder After Shooting Man Found Hiding Under Teen Daughter’s Bed [WATCH]

A Memphis, Tennessee, mother has been charged with first-degree murder after authorities say she fatally shot a 20-year-old man she found hiding under her 13-year-old daughter’s bed inside the family’s home, as reported by The New York Post.

According to an arrest affidavit, Kendra Scott, 36, was arrested after Memphis police responded to her residence shortly before 2 a.m.

Thursday and found Rodderius Morton, 20, dead outside the home from a gunshot wound to the back of his head.

Kendra Scott MURDER after police say she fatally shot 20-year-old Rodderius Morton early Thursday morning in Southwest Memphis after finding Rodderius under her DAUGHTERS bed

According to the affidavit, Scott’s juvenile daughter had invited Morton into the home, and when Scott… pic.twitter.com/dWoMhLXYhx— The Last Best Hope of Earth (@TheLastHopeUSA) July 19, 2026

Scott was also charged with employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, according to the Memphis Police Department.

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She remained in custody ahead of a Monday morning court appearance, where a judge is expected to determine her bond.

Police said Scott told officers she had returned home and discovered Morton inside her daughter’s bedroom.

“I saw a dude under my kids’ bed.”

“And I did what I had to do,” she said, according to the arrest affidavit.

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Investigators said Scott’s 13-year-old daughter told officers she had invited Morton to the family’s home around 1 a.m.

Court documents state Scott arrived home roughly 30 minutes later, pounding on the front door while shouting, “Who’s at my house?!”

The affidavit says the girl became frightened after realizing her mother was allegedly carrying a firearm.

According to investigators, the daughter told police Scott had previously said that if she “sees a boy in my house, I will put a hole in his ass.”

After the teen opened the door, Scott allegedly found Morton hiding beneath the girl’s bed.

Police allege Scott yelled, “Get out of my house bitch,” before following Morton out the front door.

Authorities said Scott’s daughter and a nearby neighbor both reported hearing a gunshot moments later.

According to the affidavit, the neighbor told officers he walked outside and saw Scott standing near Morton’s body while still holding a handgun.

The witness told police Scott repeatedly stated, “I shot him, I shot him.”

Investigators recovered a spent shell casing from the front porch along with a black Smith & Wesson handgun, according to court records.

Scott was taken to the police department for questioning before being formally charged.

Her attorney, Blake Ballin, described the circumstances surrounding the case as every parent’s nightmare.

“This incident started with the worst nightmare of any parent of a 13-year-old girl,” Ballin said.

“Predictably, it ended in tragedy. One of the key questions in this case will be whether anyone could act rationally in this circumstance,” he added.

The case has also raised questions about Tennessee’s Castle Doctrine, which allows individuals to use reasonable, including deadly, force under certain circumstances when confronting an intruder.

Retired law enforcement officer and firearm self-defense trainer Buddy Smith told Action News 5 that the facts described in the arrest affidavit do not appear to satisfy the legal standard for protection under the law.

“You’re allowed to protect the people in your residence when someone breaks in to commit a violent felony against you or someone in your house,” Smith said.

He added that “the affidavit does not allege that [Morton] threatened the mother or anyone else at that time.”

“Those alleged facts will likely be important issues for the court, and ultimately the jury.”

The case has generated widespread discussion online, with differing opinions over whether Scott’s actions were justified based on the circumstances described in court documents.

Neighbors also expressed differing views following the shooting.

“She seemed like a real nice lady. All I can say is that hurts that someone was in there with one of her little girls,” neighbor Gloria Milon told Action News 5.

Another resident said police should have been called instead.

“If it would’ve been me in that situation…I would’ve called the police and had them sitting at my house when I got there,” the unidentified neighbor said.

“Therefore, you take him out, take him on to jail,” he added.

The investigation remains ongoing as Scott awaits her initial court appearance in Memphis.

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