Etowah County, Ala. – A tragic domestic shooting in Etowah County has left a community in mourning. 25-year-old Brandon Wagnon has been arrested and charged with the murders of his mother, Brandi Whitt, 45, and his 9-year-old brother, Brantley Whitt. The shocking incident occurred Tuesday night at their home on Glen Gap Road in the Tabor-Highland Community.
Wagnon, now held in the Etowah County Jail without bond under Aniah’s Law, is accused of perpetrating this senseless act of violence. The details of the incident are heart-wrenching. Around 10 p.m. on Tuesday, a 911 call reported that a woman and her young son had been shot in their home. The first responders, deputies from the drug enforcement unit, were quickly on the scene. Despite their efforts to perform life-saving measures, young Brantley was pronounced deceased.
Jonathon Horton, the Etowah County sheriff, expressed his sorrow over the incident, describing it as a senseless act of aggression with permanent consequences. “It’s very unfortunate, something that was preventable by one’s actions, and I find no excuse for it,” he stated.
A neighbor, who wished to remain anonymous, tearfully recalled the young boy as a sweet child who always greeted people warmly. This sentiment echoes the profound loss felt by the community.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Wagnon was apprehended at the scene along with a 21-year-old woman, who was brought in as a witness. She has since been released and is not facing charges. The sheriff reassured the community that this was an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
The aftermath of the tragedy saw the sheriff’s deputies assisting animal control in retrieving the pets from the now crime-ridden home, adding another layer of sadness to the already grim situation.
Sheriff Horton highlighted the emotional toll such incidents take on first responders, especially when it involves a juvenile. He extended his deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victims, acknowledging the difficult time they are enduring.
The sheriff also expressed his gratitude to the Lookout Mountain and Highland Fire Departments, Advantage Ambulance Service, Jacksonville State Center for Applied Forensic, and the Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit for their assistance in this critical situation.
This devastating event has left a deep scar on the Tabor-Highland Community, highlighting the tragic outcomes of domestic violence. The community now comes together in grief, remembering the lives lost and searching for ways to prevent such tragedies in the future.