Nov. 30 — An ongoing domestic dispute between a UNC Health Care employee and her estranged husband climaxed early Monday morning in what police are calling an apparent murder-suicide.
UNC police have identified the victims as Shennel R. McCrimon McKendall, 37, of 612 Mitchell Chapel Road in Pittsboro, and Randy Leverne McKendall, 34, of the same address. The victims were married and reportedly estranged.
“There is no indication whatsoever that this is anything other than a domestic-related murder-suicide,” University police Chief Derek Poarch said Monday.
University police received a call at 7:41 a.m. that reported gunshots being fired outside the James T. Hedrick Building, located at 211 Friday Center Drive, about 3 miles from the main campus.
Officers from the UNC Department of Public Safety and Chapel Hill Police Department responded and pronounced both victims dead at the scene.
Police reported that Shennel McKendall was walking into the Hedrick building, where she has worked as a support assistant in the employment office, when an altercation ensued with her husband.
Randy McKendall then allegedly shot and killed his wife with a 9 mm handgun before committing suicide. Officials have yet to confirm the registration of the weapon or to determine if drugs or alcohol were involved.
Police reports state that Randy McKendall shot his wife, Shennel, and turned the gun on himself.
At least two shots were fired, and the findings of ongoing investigations, including medical examinations and interviews with witnesses or people close to the couple, will uncover more clues to the incident, said Randy Young, spokesman for University police.
