LOUISVILLE, Ky. — While 4th Street Live! sat quiet Sunday, worry still lingered, for some, following a deadly shooting that took place near 4th Street and West Liberty Street, in the heart of downtown on Jan. 21.
"It's shocking when you hear someone's recently passed away," Martha Stephens, a Jeffersonville, Indiana resident, said. "[It] just sucks when someone's passed like that over something so senseless, you know?"
"[I feel] sadness because there was another shooting," Rob, an employee downtown, said. "Shootings happen everywhere now."
Police arrested 33-year-old Jordan Fields for the shooting Saturday, that left 37-year-old Chad Smith dead. Fields faces multiple charges including murder.
Police say they caught fields on security video just down this way pulling up next to the victim and firing 11 rounds inside his car.
Arrest records state LMPD’s Violent Crime Unit detectives were conducting surveillance in the 2600 block of Garland Avenue attempting to locate Fields. He was seen getting in the front seat of a vehicle. As the vehicle was stopped in the same area, they said Fields exited the vehicle on foot, running down Garland Avenue.
"Nah, it's not real surprising. You know what I mean?" Dylan Rhodes, a South Louisville resident, said. "I mean it is Louisville. We have shootings. We are downtown."
In the wake of a senseless tragedy, Louisvillians have reinvigorated conversations about how safe the city is.
"But, I mean it can happen anywhere. East end, West End," Rob said. "I mean, I feel safe coming down here. I feel safe coming downtown."
According to the Louisville Metro Gun Violence Dashboard, the downtown area has seen six homicides so far in 2024.
But a majority of those WHAS11 News spoke with Sunday said they can walk freely in the heart of the city without feeling like crime is around the corner.
"I mean, I'm young, I skate, so I've always been downtown, so I'm just used to it," Rhodes said.
"I feel safe--for the most part I do. But just, hang out with better crowds. And do better things and do the right things hopefully," Stephens said.
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