A man has been charged in the Saturday slaying of his wife at their Fultondale home.
Kenneth Nathaniel Sanders, 32, is charged with capital murder in the shooting death of his wife, 32-year-old Jessica Brown.
The ordeal began about 12:45 p.m. when police received a call about a domestic incident at the couple’s Enclave home. The couple’s four children – who range in age from 12 to 5 – were home during the dispute and one of them went to a neighbor’s house where 911 was called.
When an officer arrived at the home, said Fultondale Police Chief Marcel Walker, Brown answered the door. “Her husband snatched her back inside,’’ the chief said.
Moments later, the officer heard gunshots and had to retreat until backup arrived.
A five-hour standoff ensued. The children were not harmed and were taken from the scene by family members.
The standoff ended when police fired tear gas into the home.
The charge against Sanders is capital because it happened in front of their children, Walker said.
Court records show Sanders was indicted in December 2022 on a domestic violence/strangulation charge that listed Brown as the victim. That alleged incident happened in 2020 and was set to go to trial Sept. 11.
Walker also credited assistance by Gardendale police and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team.
