Man accused of killing half-brother on Christmas while he was searching for missing phone

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (TCD) -- A Florida man faces charges after allegedly killing his half-brother in Illinois on Christmas over a missing cellphone.

According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney's Office, on Monday, Dec. 25, shortly after 3 p.m., DuPage County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a home on Wood Court in reference to a person shot. Once there, deputies located the victim, James Watson, inside the residence suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was rushed to a local hospital and pronounced dead.

Prosecutors allege the victim was in the downstairs area of the home and became upset because he couldn't find his cellphone. He reportedly "slammed a card table on the floor," and the victim's half-brother, 28-year-old Kendall Yarborough, who was upstairs in another part of the house, allegedly "shot down towards Watson, striking him in the abdomen."

Family members called 911 and rendered aid until deputies' arrival. Officials recovered a 9mm Sig Sauer P-365X handgun and one spent 9mm bullet casing at the scene. Deputies apprehended Yarborough without incident.

According to the state's attorney's office, Yarborough was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, and he first appeared in court on Tuesday, Dec. 26.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said in a statement, "This senseless act of violence will not go unpunished. To James’ family and friends, I offer my sincere condolences and wish them strength as they mourn the loss of a family member and come to terms with another family member accused of his murder."

MORE:

• Florida Man Charged With Killing His Half-Brother - DuPage County State's Attorney's Office