McLendon Planned Shooting Spree For A While

Michael Mclendon Kinston Police found more than 20 empty boxes of ammo lots of military and survival gear and lots of medical supplies in Michael McLendon’s home.

by The Dothan Eagle

Published: Wed, March 11, 2009 - 3:58 pm CST

The gunman who killed 11 people, including himself, may have been planning his shooting spree for a while.

Coffee County District Attorney Gary McAlliley said more than 20 empty ammunition boxes, lots of military and survival gear, and lots of medical supplies were found in Michael McLendon’s home in Kinston, where he killed his mother and set the house on fire before driving to Samson and killing 9 other people.

“We have gone through the house where it all started,” McAlliley said Wednesday afternoon. “It’s obvious to me he had planned doing this kind of thing and had for some time.”

Though the house was set on fire, authorities were able to find several things in the remains, including a list of people he had worked with at Kelley Foods who had “done him wrong,” and what they had done, like reporting him for not wearing his ear plugs or cutting meat too thin. McLendon had recently quit his job there. His mother recently lost her job at Pilgrim’s Pride.

“Both he and his mother were out of a job,” McAliley said.

Other things found on lists in McLendon’s home were specific sites, including Kelley Food, Pilgrim’s Pride, and Reliable Products, which is where McLendon took his own life after exchanging gunfire with police. McAlliley said McLendon also had a list with the names of eight area attorneys, all of whom will be contacted to see what they know about McLendon

“Apparently he had his mind on talking to a lawyer,” he said.

Alabama Department of Public Safety spokesman Kevin Cook said he could not confirm the items McAliley reported being found at McLendon’s house. He said an Alabama Bureau of Investigation agent who was at the house only reported finding what appeared to be a list of McLendon’s mother’s frequently called phone numbers.

McAlliley said neighbors reported that McLendon was often out behind his house firing weapons, and had a list of weapons he was trying to buy. During the shooting spree, McLendon was armed with four guns, including two assault rifles.

“He was apparently very good with his guns,” he said.

And McLendon was apparently often the target of ridicule about his weight. McAliley said he was often teased and referred to as “dough boy.” Court records show he was 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed more than 200 pounds.

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