On December 25, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in unincorporated Naperville, Illinois, resulting in the death of James Watson. The incident happened at a home located in the 25W0-100 block of Wood Court. At approximately 3:06 p.m., DuPage County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call reporting a person shot at the residence. Upon arrival, they found James Watson inside the home with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
According to the investigation, James Watson was upset because he could not find his cell phone. His behavior was described as increasingly obnoxious, and he slammed a card table on the floor. Following this, Kendall Yarborough, who was upstairs, shot down towards Watson, striking him in the abdomen. Family members immediately called 911 and provided medical assistance to Watson until first responders arrived.
Watson was transported to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital by Lisle-Woodridge Fire Protection District paramedics, where he was pronounced deceased by medical staff. The scene was processed, and authorities found a 9mm Sig Sauer P-365X handgun and one spent 9mm bullet casing.
Kendall Yarborough, 28, a resident of Palm Harbor, Florida, and the half-brother of James Watson, was taken into custody at the residence without incident. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Yarborough appeared in court for his first appearance on Tuesday morning, and the court granted his motion to continue the pretrial detention hearing until the following Wednesday.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick expressed their condolences to James Watson’s family and emphasized the seriousness with which domestic violence incidents are treated. Berlin stated, “This senseless act of violence will not go unpunished,” and Mendrick noted that the incident highlights that domestic violence can occur in any home.
The case is currently ongoing, with Yarborough facing the charges related to the fatal shooting of his half-brother. The incident has been described as a senseless act of violence that occurred on Christmas Day, adding to the tragedy and grief for the family involved.
