NAPERVILLE, Ill. – A man from Florida is facing first-degree murder charges after allegedly killing his half-brother on Christmas Day in Naperville, Illinois. Kendall Yarborough, 28, reportedly shot his half-brother, James Watson, while Watson was searching for his cellphone. The incident took place at a home located in the 25W0-100 block of Wood Court in Naperville, which is located within the Chicago metro area.
When authorities arrived at the scene, they found Watson with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. It is believed that Watson became upset when he couldn’t find his cell phone and slammed a card table on the floor.
“Family members stated that Watson was intoxicated and was upset that he could not find his cell phone,” authorities wrote. “His behavior had been described as increasingly obnoxious. Watson slammed a card table against the floor. After the table was slammed, the witnesses reported hearing a second noise, which was later determined to be a single gunshot.”
Investigators were told by a relative that Yarborough was holding the gun seconds after the shot was fired. Yarborough, who was upstairs at the time, allegedly shot down towards Watson, hitting him in the abdomen. Watson was given immediate aid by family members and transported to a local hospital, where he later died.
Authorities discovered a 9mm Sig Sauer P-365X handgun and a spent bullet casing at the home. Yarborough was taken into custody and made his first court appearance on Tuesday. His pre-trial detention hearing was postponed until Wednesday.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin expressed his condolences to Watson’s family and friends and stated that the “senseless act of violence will not go unpunished.” He thanked the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office and the assistant state’s attorneys for their work on the case.
Sheriff James Mendrick emphasized the seriousness of domestic violence and expressed gratitude to the first responders and the state’s attorney’s office for their response during the Christmas holiday.
It is unclear what motivated the shooting, and the investigation is ongoing. Domestic violence incidents can occur in any household, and this case highlights the need for vigilance and support for victims of such incidents. Yarborough is charged with two counts of First Degree Murder.