News Release

CHAPEL HILL -- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide that occurred early this (Monday) morning at the James T. Hedrick Building, located about three miles from the main campus.

UNC’s police received a call at about 7:41 a.m. of shots being fired near the Hedrick Building, which houses administrative offices for the UNC Health Care system. UNC and Chapel Hill police departments responded to the scene. Upon their arrival, officers found two persons dead in the adjacent parking area, the victims of gunshot wounds.

The victims have been identified as Shennel R. McCrimon McKendall, 37, of 612 Mitchell Chapel Road, Pittsboro, and Randy Leverne McKendall, 34, of the same address. The victims were married and reportedly estranged. Police said that Shennel McCrimon McKendall was reporting to work at the Hedrick Building employment office this morning, and as she was walking to the building, an altercation ensued with Randy McKendall.

Randy McKendall then allegedly shot and killed Shennel McCrimon McKendall, before turning the gun on himself. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified the weapon as a nine-millimeter handgun.

Immediately after the incident occurred, counselors were made available for co-workers and other employees who work in the Hedrick Building, UNC Health Care officials reported. The employment office was closed shortly afterward.

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UNC Public Safety contact: Randy Young, (919) 962-1502

UNC News Services contacts: Deb Saine, (919) 962-8415 or 218-2380 (cell); or Karen Moon, 218-2467