Ky. man who killed his brother, mom 30 years ago now accused of arson and fatally shooting 2 people

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (TCN) -- A 45-year-old man who served time in prison for murdering his mother and brother was arrested for allegedly killing two people, shooting at a third, and setting a house on fire this week.

According to a statement, on Wednesday, Oct. 30, just before 5 a.m., the Elizabethtown Fire Department responded to the 500 block of Hennon Lane for a residential fire. When firefighters entered the home, they reportedly located two deceased individuals. The Elizabethtown Police Department identified the victims as 41-year-old Blake France and 43-year-old Anthony Garrett.

Police said witnesses noticed a gold pickup truck leaving the area after the fire, which investigators concluded had been intentionally set. Officers located the pickup truck at a local motel and obtained surveillance footage of a man, identified as Dustin Caudill, getting out of the vehicle with a gun. Police searched Caudill’s room and discovered personal items belonging to the victims. They detained Caudill and he reportedly confessed to killing Garrett and France, as well as shooting at a third person. Caudill reportedly said he threw out the victims' wallets in a gas station trash can.

Officials arrested Caudill and booked him into the Hardin County Jail on charges of first-degree arson, two counts of murder, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, first-degree robbery, and first-degree wanton endangerment.

WKLY-TV reports Caudill was arrested in 1994 for fatally shooting his 10-year-old brother during an argument, then killing his mother when she got home. He was 15 years old at the time. Caudill served 24 years behind bars and was released on parole in April 2020. He reportedly violated his parole and was sent back to prison in May 2023 until July 2024.

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