KINSEY-HOUSTON COUNTY: Houston County Sheriff Deputies have arrested 44 year old Phillip Aaron Gore late last evening for MURDER – ARSON and two counts of Assault.
Gore has been in Houston County Jail since May 15, 2026 for Violation of a Protection Order, Attempt To Elude, Resisting Arrest, Obstructing Governmental Officials. On Friday a bond hearing was held and Kinsey Police Chief Jim Mock testified that Gore was a danger to society and a danger to flee. Houston County District Court Judge Benjamin Lewis ruled that Gore was a danger to society and a flight risk and refused to lower the bonds.
Kelli Betsill Gore was married to Phillip Gore. They were going through a divorce and she had obtained a Protection Order from Gore. While Gore had not been served the protection order the Kinsey Residence was intentionally set on fire. Kelli and her two children, a son and a daughter, were in the house.
When the fire call came in Kinsey Mayor/Volunteer Fire Chief Jason Reneau and Volunteer Fireman Chris Betsil were just returning from assisting Taylor Volunteer Fire and other departments on a fire. When the address was given Volunteer Fireman Chris Betsill shouted that was his x-wife and children’s residence. They raced to the scene.
Kinsey Police Chief Jim Mock and Kinsey Police Sgt. Jayden Morgan raced to the scenee as did Kinsey Police Officer-Houston County Sheriff Reserve Deputy Chris Ball along with members of Houston County Sheriff Department, Kinsey Volunteer Fireman, Headland Fire – Rescue, Webb Volunteer Fire, Bay Springs Volunteer Fire and other departments.
The first arriving untils, Kinsey Fire Chief Jason Reneau, Volunteer Fireman/Father/X-Husband Chris Betsell and Kinsey Police Sgt. Jayden Morgan and Kinsey Police Chief Jim Mock, they quicly reported structure occupied and a working fire. Without regard for their own lives the three made entry into the residence pulling the mother and two children from the fire.
Chief Mock did CPR on one of the children, Headland Fire-Rescue and Pilcher Ambulance were quick on the scene. The three were quickly transported under trauma alert and police escort to Southeast Health. The three were later transported to UAB and Children Hospital.
On arrival of emergency units Phillip Gore was on the scene. Investigation quickly determined this was a Arson Fire. The Alabama State Fire Marshall was notified and responded. Normally Kinsey Police Department works felonies inside Kinsey City limits but due to the circumstances Houston County Sheriff Department took the case and handled the investigation.
Kelli Betsell Gore passed away last evening and Houston County Sheriff Investigator Chuck Gray went to the Houston County Jail last evening and arrested Phillip Aaron Gore for Murder-Arson and two counts of Assault first on the two children. Gore is now under a $ 1.5 million dollar bond and remains where he has been since May 15, 2026 and will remain, the Houston County Jail.
