Shooting Outside Kentucky Courthouse: 1 Dead, Suspect Negotiates with Police

One person was killed and two others were injured in a shooting outside a Kentucky courthouse. Police reported that the suspect had been located and was negotiating with authorities on Monday afternoon.

Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson stated during a media briefing that the victim and the suspect, 46-year-old Christopher Elder, had attended a court hearing in Hardin County earlier that day. Thompson mentioned that the two individuals had been in a relationship.

Suspect Located and Negotiations Underway

The incident took place in a parking lot, and Elder fled the scene afterward. Police later found Elder's vehicle on a highway in western Kentucky, pursued him, and eventually stopped him. Thompson said police negotiators were speaking with Elder, who remained inside his car at the time of the briefing around noon EST.

Elizabethtown is situated approximately 45 miles (72.4 kilometers) south of Louisville. The police chief confirmed that two women and one man were shot. The other victims were family members of the deceased, who had not yet been identified. The surviving victims were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Schools on Lockdown

Following the shooting, nearby schools were placed on a "soft lockdown" until police could confirm it was an isolated incident, according to Thompson.

The situation remains under investigation as authorities continue to gather more details about the events leading up to the shooting.

The police are working diligently to ensure the safety of the community while handling negotiations with the suspect.