Elizabethtown Courthouse Shooting: Two Dead, Suspect Critical

A tragic incident unfolded early Monday outside the Hardin County courthouse in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, as a man gunned down three people, leaving two dead and one injured. The suspect, Christopher Elder, is now in critical condition after shooting himself in the head during a police pursuit, as reported by WDRB.

Here’s a look at the scene where 3 people were shot outside the Hardin County Court House in Elizabethtown Monday morning: https://t.co/C7AZkn1Z6V pic.twitter.com/G8ZM9iQP25

— WLKY (@WLKY) August 19, 2024

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Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson provided details during a Monday afternoon briefing, revealing that law enforcement tracked Elder using Flock cameras as he fled to western Kentucky following the shooting. The incident occurred around 9 a.m., just before Elder was scheduled to attend a hearing related to an Emergency Protection Order (EPO).

Elder’s shooting spree claimed the lives of 37-year-old Erica Riley, who was reportedly dating Elder, and her mother, 71-year-old Janet Riley. Erica died on the spot, while Janet succumbed to her injuries after being hospitalized. A third victim, a man whose identity has not been disclosed, remains in stable condition.

Authorities from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Hopkinsville Police Department, Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Muhlenberg County Sheriff’s Office, and Kentucky State Police, collaborated in tracking Elder’s movements. According to a post on the Hopkinsville Police Department’s Facebook page, Elder pointed a rifle at pursuing officers several times before taking refuge in a church parking lot. There, he alternated between aiming the weapon at himself and at officers.

Negotiators from the Christian County Sheriff’s Office and Hopkinsville Police spent about 90 minutes attempting to de-escalate the situation. Despite their efforts, Elder shot himself in the head. He was subsequently flown to Vanderbilt Hospital in Tennessee, where he remains in critical condition.

Chief Thompson confirmed that two juveniles connected to the case were present during the shooting but were unharmed. The community is reeling from the violence, with local and state leaders expressing their condolences.

State Senator Matt Deneen, a Republican from Elizabethtown, stated, “I extend my deepest prayers to the surviving family members of the victims involved in the tragic shooting this morning at the Hardin County Justice Center. This senseless act was perpetrated by a single individual, but through collaboration with multiple law enforcement agencies, he was ultimately apprehended. I sincerely thank our law enforcement professionals for their responsiveness and dedication to handling this emerging situation.”

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also commented, urging the community to join him and his wife, Britainy, in prayer, and expressed gratitude to the first responders.

The investigation into this horrific event is being led by the Kentucky State Police Post 2.