Jackson Free Press

A man was shot and killed this morning outside a Madison County courthouse in Canton.

Madison County Sheriff Randy Tucker told reporters that the shooter fired one shot from a semi-automatic weapon, hitting the victim in the chest.

The suspected shooter, whom Tucker did not name citing the investigation, laid down the weapon before authorities took him into custody.

Several media agencies reported the victim's name is Kendrick Brown. Tucker said he would provide the names of the suspect and the victim later today.

Michael Guest, the Madison County district attorney, said the victim, who he also declined to name, was facing "a substantial amount of time" on charges of sale and conspiracy to sell a controlled substance.

Guest said he expected to take the case to trial this month. Guest said the victim had a history of drug-related crimes, but was not aware if the victim had a history of committing violent crimes.

Sheriff Tucker declined to speculate on the shooter's motives and said deputies would interview him later.