Authorities in Elizabethtown are investigating a tragic shooting that occurred in the parking lot of the Hardin County Justice Center earlier this morning. Elizabethtown Police Department began receiving multiple 911 calls shortly before 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, reporting gunfire near the courthouse. Upon arrival, officers discovered three individuals who had been shot.
The shooting appears to be connected to an ongoing domestic dispute. There was an Emergency Protection Order (EPO) hearing scheduled at the courthouse today, and police believe the attack was targeted, involving those connected to the domestic issue.
Sadly, one victim has been confirmed dead. She was reportedly in a relationship with the suspect, and her identity is being withheld until family members have been notified. Two other victims were transported from the scene, with one immediately undergoing surgery.
The suspect, now identified as 46-year-old Christopher Michael Elder, fled the scene after the shooting. Law enforcement agencies from multiple jurisdictions were involved in the search for Elder. Eventually, the pursuit ended in Christian County, where the suspect was cornered in a church parking lot.
During the pursuit, Elder reportedly pointed a rifle at officers multiple times. Once in the church parking lot, he directed the weapon at himself and at the officers. Negotiators from the Christian County Sheriff’s Office and the Hopkinsville Police Department engaged with Elder for approximately 90 minutes before he attempted to take his own life. Elder sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was airlifted to Vanderbilt Hospital in Tennessee. Kentucky State Police Post 2 is now handling the investigation.
In response to the incident, the Elizabethtown Independent School District and Elizabethtown Community and Technical College implemented a soft lockdown for all facilities. The lockdown has since been lifted.
This is an ongoing investigation, and more details will be provided as they become available.
