A Kentucky woman and her mother were tragically killed on Monday morning outside the Hardin County Justice Center in Elizabethtown, just moments before a court hearing where the woman was seeking a protective order against her boyfriend. The victims, identified as 37-year-old Erica Riley and her 71-year-old mother, Janet Riley, were shot by 46-year-old Christopher Elder, who later took his own life after a police standoff.
Erica Riley had been scheduled for a court hearing that day to request an emergency protective order against Elder, whom she accused of being abusive toward her and her two children for over a year and a half. According to court documents obtained by WAVE-TV in Louisville, Erica described an incident where Elder, while intoxicated, screamed at her daughter and struck Erica twice in the jaw when she intervened.
The tragic shooting occurred as Erica, Janet, and a third family member were outside the courthouse. The third family member was injured in the attack, though their condition remains unknown. Elizabethtown Police Chief Jeremy Thompson confirmed that two children, who were also part of the protective order case, were present at the scene but were unharmed.
After the shooting, Elder fled the scene, leading police on a pursuit involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Kentucky State Police. The chase ended in a church parking lot where Elder engaged in a standoff with officers. According to reports, Elder repeatedly pointed a rifle at both himself and the officers during the standoff, which lasted about 90 minutes. Ultimately, Elder shot himself in the head and was later pronounced dead at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear condemned the incident on X, describing it as a “senseless act of violence.” The tragic event highlights the grave dangers faced by victims of domestic violence, particularly when firearms are involved. According to data from the Domestic Violence Hotline, nearly 1 in 4 women in the U.S. will experience severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime, and the presence of a gun in such situations increases the risk of homicide by 500%.
This heartbreaking case underscores the critical need for stronger protective measures and support for victims of domestic violence to prevent such tragedies from occurring.
Elizabethtown police have confirmed a shooting near the Hardin County Justice Center. Those in the area should follow guidance from law enforcement. Please join Britainy and me in praying for everyone affected by this senseless act of violence. ^AB
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) August 19, 2024