One person is in the hospital and a suspect is on the run after a shooting outside a Fayette County church, Tuesday evening. Sheriff's deputies say gunfire erupted at about 6:30pm during a fight at the parking lot of Center Christian Church near Jeffersonville. There's no word on the victim's condition, or whether either person had any affiliation with the church.
Upon receiving the 9-1-1 call, the caller reported observing two vehicles on the church parking lot and two subjects outside the vehicles involved in a physical altercation. Shortly thereafter, the caller reported hearing what was believed to be the discharge of a firearm.
Upon the arrival of Deputy Jordan Lovely, he located only one vehicle on the parking lot with an incoherent male inside the vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. Deputy Lovely requested response from EMS and a medical helicopter while administering first aid to the victim pending the arrival of medical personnel. The suspect had left the area prior to the arrival of Deputy Lovely.
Upon the arrival of Fayette County EMS and a medical helicopter, the victim was transported to an area trauma center for medical treatment. The victim’s condition was not known at the time of the press release.
Fayette County Sheriff Vernon Stanforth, along with members of the command staff and detective bureau also responded to the scene and secured the perimeter while the investigation was conducted. A crime scene agent was requested from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office - Bureau of Criminal Investigation & Identification (BCI&I) to assist sheriff’s detectives with the investigation and collection of evidence. Members of the Jefferson Township Fire Department also responded to the scene to provide assistance to deputies and EMS members. The name of the victim is being withheld at this time as the investigation continues. Sheriff’s detectives and state crime scene agents are working to establish a motive and to identify a suspect in the shooting.
Anyone with information regarding this shooting is encouraged to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office at (740) 335-6170.