ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — Authorities are investigating the tragic shooting of a 15-year-old girl by another teenager, which occurred early Sunday morning in a Lowe’s parking lot. The incident, reported at approximately 2:30 a.m., has shocked the local community and prompted a thorough examination by police.
When officers arrived at the scene located at 100 Lowe’s Drive, they discovered 21-year-old Bryan Harbison administering CPR to the victim, who had sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. Alongside him was another female, later also identified as a 15-year-old girl. Initial accounts revealed that both teens had been drinking alcohol, allegedly provided by Harbison after he met them through Snapchat.
Harbison reportedly believed the victim was older than her actual age and consented to purchase alcohol for the minors. Following the confrontation, the suspect, another 15-year-old, admitted to handling a firearm found inside the vehicle, a decision that led to the fatal incident. According to police, she pointed the gun at the victim and fired, resulting in a wound that would ultimately prove fatal.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy for all involved,” Elizabethtown Police Public Information Officer Chris Denham remarked, underscoring the seriousness of the incident. Reports indicate that the suspect was seated in the driver’s seat while Harbison and the victim occupied the back of the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Conflicting narratives have emerged regarding the firearm’s origins. Harbison claimed the gun was in his glove compartment and that he was unaware of the suspect retrieving it. Conversely, the suspect alleged that Harbison had placed the weapon on the car’s console and assured her it was unloaded.
Emergency responders transported the critically injured victim to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Denham conveyed the devastating impact of the loss on the girl’s family, who received the heart-wrenching news while they believed she was safely at home.
In the wake of the incident, the juvenile suspect was taken into custody and faces murder charges. Harbison has been charged with first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor and first-degree wanton endangerment. Denham emphasized the responsibility of gun ownership, stating, “You are accountable for any firearm you own at all times. Failing to secure it is not just negligent; it’s a crime.”
The case is expected to be presented to a Hardin County grand jury, which will evaluate the circumstances and decide if further charges are warranted. As the community grapples with this devastating reality, the police are urging responsible behavior and awareness, especially among young people regarding firearms and alcohol consumption.