LOUISVILLE, Ky. — One person was shot and killed walking out of a mini-mart on Dixie Highway Friday afternoon. Police said it happened just outside the JJ Food Mart, which has been open about one month near the intersection of Dixie Highway and West Gaulbert Avenue.
Jefferson County Coroner's Office identified the victim as 18-year-old Jerrick Young. The shooting happening in broad daylight, and police being nearby when it happened, there are no suspects at this time.
"If you know something, you gotta say something. We're having far too many violent acts here in Louisville," LMPD Second Division Major Russell Miller said Friday. Miller is pleading for anyone with information to call the anonymous tip line at 502-574-LMPD (5673).
Miller could not say if the shooter was also in the store before the shooting, or if they were potentially waiting outside for the victim.
"It was quick three shots: boom, boom boom," Nick Grigsby said, who lives next door and had just gotten home from JJ Food Mart when the shooting happened.
Grigsby said he didn't hear any fight or disturbance immediately before the shooting.
"Was sitting on the couch and heard three gunshots, and came out and he was already on the ground bleeding," Grigsby said.
Family members of the deceased were at the scene. At one point, there was a crowd of roughly two dozen people around the family, trying to calm them and support them.
Two police chaplains were with them and participated in a prayer circle after the scene broke down.
The shooting happened around 2:30 p.m., and Dixie Highway reopened to traffic at 5:15 p.m. One man said shootings like this show the need for more safe places for young people to hang out, and the need for more grocery stores in West Louisville.
"Nothing's being done with these places over here to make sure they're in mint condition, like they are on the outskirts. They're always talking about the West End, but all the new stuff, they're taking it out and putting it on the outskirts," Cole Goodrich said, who was watching the scene near the family.
Goodrich said he works a lot in the community, including working with River City Drum Corps. He also believes many teenagers in the area aren't taking violence seriously.
"There were some kids laughing over here, when the news reports were going. So, ya know, since I can relate to them, I went over and told them, 'You know, the person who died over here is around y'all age. So, that could have been one of y'all. So, y'all really need to stay together,'" Goodrich said.
The number of homicides in Louisville is up 12% year-to-date compared to last year, for a total of 112. The total number of homicide victims is up 6% for a total of 117. That's according to the Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods dashboard.
An LMPD spokesperson said Friday night that the investigation is still in its "infancy stages."
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