14-Year-Old Accused of Fatally Shooting Brother, 17, Had 'Hit List' of Other Family Members, Police Say

The teen allegedly confessed to killing his brother, who had been missing since Monday

A 14-year-old boy from Alabama who allegedly confessed to fatally shooting his brother, 17, was in possession of a “hit list” detailing other family members he planned to kill, according to police.

On Wednesday, local news outlet WAKA 8 reported that the Pike County teen was in custody after allegedly killing his older brother on Tuesday. Sheriff Russell Thomas of Pike County Sheriff’s Office told the outlet that authorities had discovered a "hit list" of targets, including members of his family and a school.

Thomas told WAKA 8 that during the investigation authorities had "learned through a friend of his, that he had actually had a hit list to kill his family members... a detailed list of who, where, how, whether it would be easy or difficult."

The sheriff said authorities had “searched the residence and his book bag, and did, in fact, find the hit list,” adding that the boy “intended to shoot up the school, which is Pike County High School.”

Local news outlets WDHN, WSFA 12 News and NBC News also reported that police say the "hit list" also included the names of family members that the teen allegedly had intentions to kill.

“He had already proved that he would kill and we were very, very fortunate — and blessed — that he didn’t carry out his plans, and that we were able to intervene and stop all of this,” Thomas also said, per WAKA 8.

The suspect allegedly confessed to murdering his brother — who had been missing since Monday — during an interview with Thomas on Tuesday, according to NBC News.

“He stated his brother got up and staggered out of the residence and out the back door, where he then fell at the bottom of the steps. He dragged him about 60 yards to the back of the property,” the sheriff’s office said, per the outlet.

Authorities said that the two boys' father discovered the elder boy's body on Tuesday after collecting his younger son from school, per NBC News.

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The boy “made disturbing and threatening statements to multiple students” before his arrest, Pike County District Attorney James Tarbox said in a press conference shared in the WSFA 12 report on Wednesday.

Thomas added during the press conference that while another student was taking a test, “he was so bothered” by what the 14-year-old had stated, he ultimately “reported it to the teacher, who then relayed the information on to the administration."

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Pike County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on the case.

Pike County Board of Education Superintendent Dr. Mark Bazzell issued a press release on Wednesday where he said that the teen “was immediately removed from the school.”

“Subsequently, this student has been arrested in connection with the death of a family member at home occurring Monday, October 2, 2023,” Bazzell continued. “The school system is cooperating with local law enforcement in this on-going investigation.

Bazzell added that although there was “no evidence of a threat” to any of his schools, “out of an abundance of caution, the Pike County School System has requested an increased law enforcement presence on the Brundidge campuses. The Pike County School System would like to express its deepest condolences to the family and friends impacted by this tragic event.”

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