In the small mining town of Kellogg, Idaho, a dispute between neighbors on Father's Day culminated in a tragic loss of life. On the evening of June 18, 2023, 18-year-old White / Caucasian male Devin Smith, along with his mother, brother, and grandfather, were shot and killed in their home. The violence erupted from a simmering conflict with their upstairs neighbor, who had accused Devin of inappropriate behavior just days earlier.
The neighbor, Majorjon Kaylor, a 31-year-old man, lived in the same duplex as Devin's family.
Tensions began a few days prior when Kaylor's wife alleged that Devin Smith had exposed himself to her and their young daughters through a window. The Kaylors reported the incident to the Kellogg Police Department, which investigated and recommended that misdemeanor charges be filed against Smith, who reportedly had some mental health issues. Before the legal process could proceed, however, the situation escalated dramatically. On that Sunday evening, Kaylor confronted Devin's mother, Kenna Guardipee, and grandfather, Kenneth Guardipee, in the shared backyard. An argument ensued, with Kaylor later telling police he felt his concerns were not being taken seriously. He claimed he "snapped" and "lost it."
What followed was an act of brutal violence. Kaylor, armed with a handgun, shot Kenneth and Kenna Guardipee outside their ground-floor apartment. He then entered their home and continued his rampage, killing Devin's 16-year-old brother, Aiken Smith. He found Devin Smith behind a bedroom door and shot him multiple times in the head at close range. All four victims died at the scene. When law enforcement officers arrived after receiving reports of gunfire, they found the deceased family members and took Kaylor into custody without incident. He reportedly confessed to the killings to the police.
Majorjon Kaylor was arrested and initially charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary. In the months that followed, the case proceeded through the legal system. In a plea agreement, Kaylor pleaded guilty in December 2023 to four counts of second-degree murder. In March 2024, a judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole, ensuring he would not have a chance for release. The sentencing brought a close to the legal proceedings but left a lasting scar on the community and the surviving family members who lost three generations in a single, violent evening.
