A mass shooting happened at a birthday pool party in Florence, Kentucky, leaving four people dead and three others gravely injured.
A mass shooting in Florence, Kentucky, early Saturday morning has left four people dead and three others critically injured. The incident occurred at a birthday pool party on Ridgecrest Drive, with the tragic events unfolding just before 3 am.
Police were called to the 2600 block of Ridgecrest Drive where they discovered four deceased individuals and three others in critical condition. The injured victims were promptly transported to the ICU at UC Hospital.
The gunman, whose identity has not yet been released, fled the scene before police arrived, initiating a wild chase. The pursuit ended on Dale Heimbrock Way when the suspect crashed into a ditch. Upon reaching the vehicle, officers found the suspect with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The Florence Church of God confirmed in a Facebook post that the shooting occurred during a birthday celebration after an intruder opened fire. Among the victims were a mother who was fatally shot and her daughter, who was wounded.
Police is still present in the area as the investigation continues. Authorities have confirmed that the three injured victims are in critical but stable condition as of now.
According to a report, Five people, including the suspect, are dead and three others are injured after a shooting at a birthday party early Saturday in northern Kentucky.
Officers responded to multiple calls of an active shooter at a residence in Florence, Kentucky, around 3 a.m.
When officers arrived, shots were still being fired and there were two victims in front of the residence, Florence Police Chief Jeff Mallery said at a press conference Saturday afternoon.
Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene and three others were transported to a local hospital and are in stable condition. They are expected to make a full recovery, according to police.
“We’ve never dealt with this before. I know it has gone on throughout the nation, but this is the first time that we’ve had a mass shooting in Florence,” Mallery said at the press conference. “It is very emotional.”
Mallery identified the four victims as 19-year-old Delaney Eary, 20-year-old Shane Miller, 20-year-old Hayden Rybicki and 44-year-old Melissa Parrett.
Missy Rittinger, Boone County coroner, confirmed that two victims were female and two were male.
The shooter was identified as 21-year-old Chase Garvey.
The incident occurred during a birthday party for Parrett’s 21-year-old son.
Partygoers knew the suspect and identified him to officers, Mallery said. The suspect’s motive is still under investigation.
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“I don’t believe he was invited to the party, but there is a relationship,” he said, adding that the preliminary investigation indicates that “he just showed up.”
Garvey fled the scene in a car, according to police. Officers tried to initiate a traffic stop but he continued to drive, leading to a pursuit. Mallery said police believe Garvey shot himself while driving and veered into a ditch.
Police found the suspect with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
An initial investigation revealed that the suspected acted alone, the Florence Police Department said. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office confirmed its deputies responded along with Florence officers last night, but it is not conducting a separate investigation.
Florence is located about 12 miles southwest of Cincinnati, Ohio.
