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Three people are dead, including the suspect, and one person is injured after a shooting on Monday morning outside an Elizabethtown courthouse that police are calling a domestic incident.
"At no time was this a threat to anyone other than the individuals that were involved," Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson said. "This was a domestic-related incident."
Both the Kentucky State Police and the Louisville field division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are assisting local law enforcement in Elizabethtown.
Here's what we know about the shooting:
Who is the suspect in Elizabethtown shooting?
Elizabethtown authorities said the suspect in the shooting that happened Aug. 19 is 46-year-old Christopher Elder. According to Thompson, Elder is believed to have ties to the Elizabethtown and Breckinridge County areas.
Elizabethtown Police confirmed Elder died on Monday evening after being hospitalized in critical condition from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a standoff with police in west Kentucky. He was subsequently airlifted to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
Elder had barricaded himself in a car following a vehicle pursuit with police shortly after the shooting.
More about the suspect:Christopher Elder, suspect in Elizabethtown shooting, dies of injuries
Who died in Elizabethtown shooting?
In addition to the suspect, two people died as a result of Monday's shooting outside the Elizabethtown courthouse.
One woman, identified as 37-year-old Erica Riley of Elizabethtown, was pronounced dead at the scene. Riley was believed to be dating Elder and had been at the courthouse to appear for anemergency protective orderhearing, Thompson said in a press conference Monday afternoon.
Riley's mother, 71-year-old Janet Rylee of Hardinsburg, was transported to a hospital after being shot in the incident. She later died from her injuries, according to Public Information Officer John Thomas with the Elizabethtown Police.
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Where was the Elizabethtown shooting?
The shooting was in the parking lot of the Hardin County Justice Center in Elizabethtown.
Was there a shelter in place in Elizabethtown, Kentucky?
Kentucky State Police advised citizens of Elizabethtown to shelter in place Monday because of the shooting, but it was lifted past noon, according to a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Classrooms in the Elizabethtown Independent School District returned to normal operations after a districtwide lockdown went into effect at 8:55 a.m.
"School personnel and law enforcement conducted pre-determined emergency procedures, ensuring the safety of students and staff," the district said in a statement.
Hardin County Schools said only some of its schools were under lockdown Monday, but all have since returned to normal operations.
Reactions to shooting in Elizabethtown, KY
Gov. Andy Beshear offers his condolences
"Our thoughts are with Elizabethtown in the wake of an act of violence that took two lives and has left one hospitalized," Beshear wrote. "Join Britainy and me in lifting the entire Hardin County community in prayer and giving thanks to our brave first responders."
Sen. Matt Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, issued a statement
"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," Deneen said. "This senseless act was perpetrated by a single individual, but through collaboration with multiple law enforcement agencies, he was ultimately apprehended."
ZeroV, formerly the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Spokesperson Angela Conwaysent a release on behalf of ZeroV, formerly the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
"This morning, three people were shot in an act of intimate partner violence (IPV) outside the Hardin County Justice Center. One of the victims was at the justice center in pursuit of a protective order. Outreach advocates from our member program, SpringHaven, Inc., were present at the time, supporting and assisting multiple victims of IPV during the protective order hearing process. Everyone has the right to live in safety and peace, and what happened this morning harmed and endangered the lives of many in the community.
"At this time, we do not have enough information to confirm the details of the incident. Any questions about the incident should be directed to local law enforcement. Right now, ZeroV is focused on supporting the clients and staff of SpringHaven, Inc. and all those affected by this tragic and traumatic act of intimate partner violence. We are working to provide SpringHaven, Inc. with counseling services and additional support to maintain shelter and hotline operations. SpringHaven, Inc., remains open and ready to support anyone experiencing intimate partner violence.
"Across the state, ZeroV’s other member programs are available to support those experiencing intimate partner violence. Hotline and contact information for all of our member programs is available athttps://www.zerov.org/shelter_programs. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is also available 24/7 at 800-799-7233."
