Boyfriend shoots girlfriend and her mother outside courthouse: Police

In a tragic incident on Monday morning, three family members were shot, including two fatalities, near a courthouse in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, prior to a scheduled hearing regarding an emergency protective order.

The suspect, identified as 46-year-old Christopher Elder, who was in a relationship with one of the victims, fled the scene before engaging in a standoff with police. During this standoff, Elder shot himself, and authorities reported that he is currently in critical condition at a hospital.

The shooting occurred in a parking lot directly across from the Hardin County Justice Center at around 9 a.m. ET. Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson described the event as an “ambush-type style” attack.

Among the victims was Elder’s girlfriend, 37-year-old Erica Riley from Elizabethtown. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Riley’s mother, 71-year-old Janet Rylee from Hardinsburg, was also shot and succumbed to her injuries later at a hospital.

A third individual, a male relative of the victims, was also shot and is currently in stable condition. Authorities have not yet released his name.

Thankfully, two children related to one of the victims were present during the shooting but were unharmed, police reported. However, no additional details regarding the children are available at this time.

The situation escalated quickly following a vehicle pursuit through western Kentucky, culminating in the standoff where Elder shot himself. Overall, police have described this incident as an isolated domestic event.

Elizabethtown Mayor Jeff Gregory, who has a background in law enforcement, expressed his sorrow over the tragic outcome. “It’s just terrible; it’s a tragedy,” he said. “Domestic situations are never predictable. They often end in horrible situations like this. Unfortunately, that happened in downtown Elizabethtown today.”

The investigation is still ongoing, with police continuing to gather information on the events leading up to the shooting.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear issued a statement requesting the community join him and his wife in prayer for those affected by this senseless act of violence.

This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the unpredictability of domestic situations and the devastating outcomes that can result.

Authorities continue to keep the community updated as they proceed with their investigation into this tragic event, aiming to provide answers and prevent similar occurrences in the future.