safety
Mother charged with murder for killing man she found sneaking into her daughter’s bedroom, police say
By Shayna Shayna, Joel Moore, Emily Van de Riet at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· July 17, 2026
· 1 min read
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) — A woman is accused of shooting and killing a man she found in her child’s bedroom, saying she “did what she had to do.”The shooting happened early Thursday in the Walker Homes neighborhood of Memphis.Memphis police responded to the shooting at 1:45 a.m.When police...
Key takeaway A woman, later identified as Kendra Scott, 36, was arrested at the scene.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
In Atlanta , where concerns about public safety and home security are always paramount, this incident from Memphis raises questions about the limits of self-defense and the role of law enforcement in such cases. While the details of the shooting are still emerging, the fact that the child had allegedly invited the man into the house complicates the narrative of a straightforward home invasion. As Atlantans consider their own safety and the safety of their families, they may wonder how they would respond in a similar situation, and what the consequences might be. The fact that Kendra Scott was charged with first-degree murder, despite her claim that she was protecting her child, suggests that the law may not always prioritize self-defense in such situations. This case may prompt Atlantans to re-examine their own emergency plans and consider the potential consequences of using deadly force, even in the name of protecting loved ones.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Atlanta stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) — A woman is accused of shooting and killing a man she found in her child’s bedroom, saying she “did what she had to do.”The shooting happened early Thursday in the Walker Homes neighborhood of Memphis.Memphis police responded to the shooting at 1:45 a.m.When police...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Shayna Shayna, Joel Moore, Emily Van de Riet at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter