MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Richmond Police say that one man is accused of attacking an ex-girlfriend, barricading himself inside an apartment, firing gunshots, then starting a fire.
It’s hard to look at the damage and not wonder how we’re not discussing fatalities, after the alleged arson inside building number 737 at the Richmond Manor Apartment complex on North Third Street.
"We are very fortunate in this situation that the victims and the children were able to exit the residence,” said Assistant Chief B.J. O’Donnell with the Richmond police department. O’Donnell said the response by fire and police personnel was swift, as soon as they got the call on Saturday night.
Upon arrival, they learned that 30-year-old Logan Browning had barricaded himself inside one of the apartment units. Police said he was firing his weapon inside, and they are prepared to charge him with setting the fire that destroyed the apartment building. It took police nearly four hours to get Browning out, safely.
“He is still in a medical facility being treated for injuries he self-inflicted upon his entry into the building,” O’Donnell explained.
O’Donnell then said that once he’s released from medical care (in the next couple of days), he will be detained and formally charged on nine counts of felony wanton endangerment, among many additional charges.
Chanz Carpenter is among the lucky residents here. She lives in a nearby apartment with her three children.
“We heard a gunshot and we got down on the ground, we were crawling on the ground and stayed with the light off and stayed down until police came and made us evacuate the building,” Carpenter said.
Miss Carpenter said she is currently living with her mother in Mt. Sterling but hopes to stay with a friend in Richmond to make it easier to get the kids to and from school until they find a new permanent place to live.
“It could’ve been horrible. Could’ve lost my whole family. I lost a lot of material things; pictures and memories, but I didn’t lose my life or my children’s. That’s what matters,” she said.
Browning faces the following charges: Burglary (1st degree), Robbery (1st), Arson (1st), Possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, Assault — domestic violence (2nd), 8 counts of Criminal mischief (1st), 5 counts of wanton endangerment (1st), and 9 counts of wanton endangerment — police officer (1st).
Many callers who reached out to LEX18 were concerned that a child was shot during the situation. Richmond Police Chief Rodney Richardson confirmed that was not true.
A GoFundMe for the victim can be found here.
