LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A woman is dead after a fatal shooting in the Old Louisville neighborhood late Friday night.
Louisville Metro Police said officers responded to a call of a shooting in the grassy area adjacent to I-65 Northbound near the 800 block of Woodbine Street.
When officers arrived, they say they found 40-year-old Jennifer McDermott with at least one gunshot wound.
McDermott had received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene.
Jeff Gill, founder of nonprofit "Hip Hop Cares," said McDermott lived under an overpass on Woodbine Street and was like a mother to everyone there.
Gill days she was the type of person who took people in, despite not having a place of her own.
"If someone walked passed her and didn't have a shirt or shoes, she would look through her stuff for a shirt or shoes to give it to them," he said. "She was always caring about someone else, and that just defined her character."
Gill prays authorities are able to find the person responsible for the shooting and hopes that her death pushes city leaders to act.
"Jen would be here right now if she was in somewhere safe," he said. "The administration can save lives by literally getting people off the streets. We have the resources, we have the capabilities. Lets not wait until anyone else dies. Lets not wait until it looks good. Lets not wait until we get a round of a bunch of money. Lets do it now. Lets save lives. "
Some of McDermott's last words were written in a letter she gave to Gill.
"Be bold in what you stand for," he read. "She knew I was really, really struggling. So she went out of her way to write me a letter that was full of inspirational messages and quotes."
The LMPD Homicide Unit is still investigating her death. There are no suspect(s) at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this case can call the anonymous tip line at (502)574-LMPD.
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