Suspect in Elizabethtown shooting dead from self-inflicted gunshot wound: police report

UPDATE: Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 11:30 a.m.

Christopher Elder, the suspect involved in the shooting that occurred outside the Hardin County courthouse on Monday that resulted in the death of two people, has died from a reported self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the Elizabethtown Police Department.

UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 19 at 3:12 p.m.

According to the Elizabethtown Police Department, the suspect shot himself and is now in critical condition. The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Erica Riley from Elizabethtown.

Another victim, 71-year-old Janet Riley, was taken to the hospital, where she died from her injuries. Another adult male was shot at the scene, but is in stable condition.

UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 19 at 2:30 p.m.

After the Monday morning shooting outside of the Hardin County courthouse, the Hopkinsville Police Department detailed the pursuit that ensued, adding that the suspect, Christopher Elder, sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was then flown to a Tennessee hospital.

The department detailed that during the pursuit, Elder allegedly pointed a rifle several times at officers and himself as he reportedly fled into a church parking lot.

Christian County Sheriff's Office and HPD negotiated with Elder for around 90 minutes before he "attempted to take his own life." Police reported that he sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was then taken to a Tennessee hospital.

Kentucky State Police Post 2 is investigating, HPD reported.

UPDATE: Monday, Aug. 19 at 12:15 p.m.

The Elizabethtown Chief of Police released additional information regarding the shooting that occurred in the parking lot of the Hardin County courthouse on Monday morning, reporting that the suspect was identified by witnesses as 46-year-old Christopher Elder.

Elder, according to the chief, fled the scene and is currently in negotiations with law enforcement in Western Kentucky. The chief added that one person was killed while two other victims were taken to the hospital. Further, the chief reported that the person killed was dating the suspected shooter.

The chief also reported that the shooting was a "domestic-related incident."

Original Story:

The Elizabethtown Police Department confirmed on Facebook that a shooting had occurred in the parking lot of the Hardin County courthouse on Monday morning and that police are actively looking for the suspect.

The department also confirmed that there are three victims, however, their condition is unknown at this time.

Multiple agencies are actively looking for the suspect with the department noting that the suspect "may already be out of Hardin County."

"Out of an abundance of caution, all area schools have been placed on soft lock down," the department said.

Governor Andy Beshear released the following statement regarding the shooting on X:

This is a developing story and LEX 18 will have updates as they become available.