LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two people are injured after a shooting outside a church in Louisville's Smoketown neighborhood.
The shooting took place just outside Bates Memorial Baptist Church, in the 600 block of Lampton Street, around 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday.
According to Pastor Dr. Bruce Williams, a funeral was taking place inside the church when staff heard commotion outside and were told a shooting had just taken place.
“I pray, that with so much going on, another family does not have to plan someone else’s home going," said Elaine Douglas, who has gone to Bates Memorial for 20 years. “After you’ve been at a church for 20 years, your friends become your family.”
Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) said officers canvassed the church's parking lot and nearby alley for victims. Despite finding evidence of a shooting, and multiple nearby vehicles with bullet holes, they couldn't find anyone injured.
A short time later, police said a man had arrived at the University of Louisville with a gunshot wound. While LMPD's Fourth Division continued investigating the scene outside the church, the hospital notified police another man had arrived to the hospital with a gunshot wound.
Both men were alert and conscious and are expected to survive their injuries, LMPD said.
Douglas went to the church to check on her friends after hearing of the shooting.
"My friends and family started calling me," she said. "I just wanted to make sure that my other family is fine. You see the yellow tape ‘do not cross,’ I cross here every Sunday…going in these doors, sis. To see all this going on, it’s heartbreaking.”
The latest shooting in Louisville has some community members frustrated with the ongoing violence.
"Something's gotta give," neighbor Victoria Cox said. "I'm scared for everybody's safety, not just mine. I'm scared for the kids' safety, I'm scared for the whole community's safety, I'm scared."
It's unclear what the relationship there is between the two men, if any. LMPD's Non-Fatal Shooting Unit is handling the investigation, which is ongoing.
There are no known suspects and police ask anyone with information about the shooting to call the anonymous tip line at 502-574-5673. Reports can also be made online by clicking here.
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