Mississippi Land Feud Ends in Murder-Suicide of Gunmaker and His Wife
A decade-long dispute over a 14-acre property ended in tragedy last Friday in Florence, Mississippi. Sixty-two-year-old Walter Birdsong Jr., owner of a firearms and coatings business, and his 43-year-old wife, Amanda Lynn Birdsong, were shot dead in their home. Investigators say their 56-year-old relative, Kurt Birdsong, carried out the attack before turning the gun on himself. Court records show Kurt claimed the land was promised to him by his late father, but a judge dismissed his claim in 2019 due to lack of a written agreement. Neighbors say Kurt’s behavior grew increasingly erratic after the ruling, even as Amanda frequently tried to mediate the family feud. On the day of the shooting, Kurt entered the house armed with at least two firearms. Police arrived within eight minutes of a 911 call and encountered a three-hour standoff in which Kurt had barricaded himself. A bomb squad was also deployed to check for any explosive materials tied to the family business. When tactical teams breached the barricade, they found Kurt dead from an apparent self-inflicted wound. The Birdsong family said they are “heartbroken beyond words.” Authorities are now examining Kurt’s phone for any final explanation or manifesto.
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