ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky.—A tragic event unfolded outside a Kentucky courthouse as a gunman fatally shot a mother and daughter and injured another man before leading police on a highway pursuit and ultimately shooting himself on Monday, according to authorities.
The suspect, identified as 46-year-old Christopher Elder, was in critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound, Elizabethtown police reported.
The victims were identified as 37-year-old Erica Riley of Elizabethtown and her mother, 71-year-old Janet Riley of Hardinsburg. Erica had attended a court hearing in Hardin County with Elder earlier that day, as they were in a relationship, Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson revealed.
Tragically, Janet Riley passed away after being transported to a hospital following the shooting in a parking lot. Elder fled the scene following the incident, Thompson stated.
Authorities located Elder’s vehicle on a highway in western Kentucky and engaged in a pursuit before eventually stopping him. Police negotiators attempted to communicate with Elder before he turned the gun on himself, according to Thompson.
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The city of Elizabethtown is located approximately 45 miles south of Louisville.
The man injured in the incident was also related to Erica Riley, Chief Thompson confirmed. He was reported to be in stable condition, with his identity not yet released by authorities.
Following the shooting, nearby schools were placed on a “soft lockdown” until law enforcement could ascertain that the incident was isolated, Thompson added.
Witness Michael Cockerel recounted hearing gunshots as he exited the Hardin County Justice Center on Monday morning. Initially mistaking the sounds for a nail gun, Cockerel soon realized the gravity of the situation. Taking cover behind a car, he later saw the victims across the street but did not catch sight of the shooter.
