In a tragic turn of events, a longstanding family feud over land has ended in bloodshed in Mississippi. A local man, Kurt Birdsong, is alleged to have fatally shot two family members during the heated dispute.
According to a statement from The Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, the victims, Walter E. Birdsong, aged 62, and his wife Amanda Birdsong, aged 43, fell victim to this violent outburst on May 8. Kurt, who belongs to a family well-known for their firearms business, is believed to have taken his own life following this devastating act.
The Sheriff’s Office Responded to Birdsong Property After Shots Were Fired
Authorities were alerted to the scene on Monterey Road shortly before 4 p.m., following reports of a double homicide and an armed suspect barricading himself within a residence on the property. The situation prompted an immediate response from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, with their SWAT Team, negotiators, and technical units quickly arriving on-site.
Upon investigation, it was revealed that the family had been embroiled in a prolonged dispute over family land. The friction reached its boiling point on that fateful Friday afternoon, culminating in the tragic loss of life. “Deputies discovered that the ongoing conflict over the family land led to one family member fatally shooting two others,” the sheriff’s office detailed.
Rankin County Investigator Tyler Burnell provided further context, explaining that Kurt and Walter Ernest Birdsong Jr. were brothers. The property in question had initially been purchased by their father, Walter Earnest Birdsong Sr., serving as the family home and the headquarters for their business, W.E. Birdsong & Associates, Inc.
Rankin County Investigator Tyler Burnell told that Kurt and Walter Ernest Birdsong Jr. were brothers. He said the property had originally been purchased by their father Walter Earnest Birdsong Sr. as their family home and headquarters of their firearms business, W.E. Birdsong & Associates, Inc.
“When Walter Birdsong Sr. passed away in 2009 the two brothers inherited the land and business,” Burnell said. “It is alleged that the brothers were arguing over controlling ownership of the property and had been arguing about that issue for multiple days prior to this incident.”
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—who Burnell told Oxygen were husband and wife—were also found dead at the scene and transported to The Rankin County Coroner’s Office.
The investigation into the deaths remains ongoing.
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. W.E. Birdsong Sr. started the company 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.
