Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Lawrence Mother And Son Killed In Alabama Shooting

  Authorities report that a shooting in neighboring Lauderdale County, Alabama, early Monday resulted in the deaths of a Lawrence County mother and son.

   Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department officials report that the shooting took place around 9:30 Monday morning at the home of Billy Berryman, 60, of 356 Lauderdale 496, in the Sweet Gum Community, approximately five miles west of Lexington.

   Authorities indicate that a domestic altercation between Berryman and his estranged wife, Phyllis Darnell, 57, of 517 Third Street, Lawrenceburg, apparently sparked the shooting. They allege that Berryman shot and killed Darnell and her son, Phillip Darnell, 38, of Leoma, then turned the gun upon himself. Berryman died as the result of what appeared to be a self-inflicted wound.

   Authorities indicate that Darnell had traveled to the home with her son and daughter in order to pick up some of her belongings while Berryman was at work. They indicate that a relative who resides nearby notified Berryman that the Darnells were at the home. He quickly came home to confront them. The driver of a truck was also at the scene, assisting the Darnells.

   The Darnells were shot behind the home, near a barn. Officials report that the daughter and the truck driver ran when the shooting began and were able to avoid injury. They indicated that Berryman had, however, chased them a short distance before returning to his home.

   Deputies with the department had arrived on the scene and were checking the bodies when they heard a muffled shot from inside the home. When they entered the home around 10:00 a.m. they found Berryman dead on the couch.

   The bodies have been dispatched for autopsy.

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