MOULTON, ALABAMA: An Alabama woman was taken into custody last week after she allegedly fatally shot her seven-year-old son. Shannon Renee Karr was arrested on Friday, August 4 and in connection to the young boy's murder, she has been charged with one count of capital murder.
According to court records reviewed by Law and Crime, the child was shot multiple times inside their home located in the 200 block of Main Street in Moulton. On August 4, the Moulton Police Department responded to a distress call at about 2.17 am regarding a possible shooting at Karr's residence, and upon arrival at the scene, the officers made contact with the victim's mother. Karr reportedly told the first responders that a child was dead inside her home.
Who is Shannon Renee Karr?
Karr living in Moulton was arrested the same day her son was located inside her residence. He was pronounced dead on the scene after he suffered from two gunshot wounds, according to Lawrence County Coroner Steve Norwood. Authorities have shared that the victim whose identity has not been released was a student at Morgan County's Danville Elementary School. Officers booked her into the Lawrence County Jail on suspicion of capital murder and is currently being held without bond.
Neighbors left shocked by 7-year-old boy's death
Talking to NBC affiliate WAFF, one of Karr's neighbors, Susan Thrasher expressed her disbelief upon hearing Karr's alleged actions that led to the death of her son. "It’s just been a sad day because it’s just hard to believe that a mother can kill their child," said Thrasher and she added, "I just can’t imagine what caused her to do such a thing and I’m just hoping the little boy was asleep."
A second neighbor also talked about how the incident was "shocking" to them. "I’ve seen the little boy several times, he would play with my dogs and ride his bike down the sidewalk. It is terrible, just terrible," said the neighbor Tad Hazle.
Karr shot her son at 'close range'
Moulton Police Department Capt. Russell Graham told WAFF that both of the gunshot injuries the boy suffered were sustained from "close range" and also shared the distressing nature of the crime. "It’s not easy, any death is bad but especially when you are dealing with a small child. I’ve got children of my own that are right around that age so that’s a little tough but I’m trying to put that aside right now and just look at this purely from an investigative standpoint," he said.
