A shooting suspect out of Elizabethtown reportedly led law enforcement on a pursuit that ended in Christian County when the suspect sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on Monday.
According to a press release from the Elizabethtown Police Department, the suspect, Christopher Elder, was involved in a shooting outside of the Hardin County Justice Center that resulted in the deaths of 37-year-old Erica Riley of Elizabethtown and her mother 71-year-old Janet Rylee of Hardinsburg. Another victim was injured in the shooting and is currently in stable condition.
Following the shooting, Elder fled west and was cornered by law enforcement from the Hopkinsville Police Department, Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Muhlenberg County Sheriff’s Office and Kentucky State Police in a church parking lot in the area of Greenville Rd and Judges Chapel Rd in Christian County.
Elder allegedly had a rifle which he pointed at law enforcement and himself as they negotiated with him. Law enforcement reportedly negotiated with Elder for around 90 minutes before he attempted to take his own life by shooting himself in the head.
Elder was flown to Vanderbilt Medical Center in critical condition and KSP Post 2 will be handling the investigation.
Photo courtesy of the Hopkinsville Police Department