A Mississippi man is at the center of a tragic case involving the fatal shooting of two relatives amid a contentious family land dispute.
Authorities suspect Kurt Birdsong, a member of a family with ties to the firearms industry, of fatally shooting his relatives Walter E. Birdsong, 62, and Amanda Birdsong, 43, on May 8. According to a statement from The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, the 56-year-old then took his own life as the family conflict reached a deadly crescendo.
The Sheriff’s Office Responded to Birdsong Property After Shots Were Fired
The sheriff’s department received a call just before 4 p.m. reporting the deaths and indicating that an armed suspect had barricaded himself inside a residence on the Monterey Road property, officials stated.
In response, the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office dispatched its SWAT Team, along with negotiators and technical response teams, to the scene.
“Upon arrival, deputies discovered that several family members residing on the property were embroiled in a long-standing dispute over family land,” the sheriff’s office reported. “Investigators believe the conflict intensified that Friday afternoon, leading to one family member tragically shooting and killing two others.”
After learning of the family’s ties to the firearms business, the sheriff’s office also requested assistance from the FBI Jackson Field Office, the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Clinton Bomb Squad.
Although authorities made “numerous attempts” to contact Kurt, their efforts were unsuccessful and investigators breached the home with armored and technical equipment, according to the release.
They discovered him dead inside a bathroom from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, the sheriff’s office said.
Walter and Amanda were also found dead at the scene and transported to The Rankin County Coroner’s Office.
Rankin County Chief Deputy Coroner Cliff Dunlap described the victims to WLBT as husband and wife.
Authorities did not say how Kurt was related to the victims.
The investigation into the deaths remains ongoing. Oxygen reached out to the sheriff’s office for additional comment, but did not receive an immediate reply.
Authorities have called the deaths a “tragedy,” saying, “The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office asks the community to pray for comfort and peace for the family and friends affected by this tragedy.”
The Birdsong Family Operates Firearms Business
The Birdsong family is known in the community for their connection to W.E. Birdsong & Associates, a company started by Walter’s father W.E. Birdsong Sr. after he created a durable and protective coating system for firearms, according to the company’s website.
After his death in 2009, his sons took over the business. His sons were identified in a 2009 obituary as Richard Hampton Birdsong, Walter E. Birdsong Jr. and Tyler Birdsong.