LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — It's not a nightly occurrence, but it certainly feels that way. Lexington police are investigating two more shooting deaths bringing the city's total for 2021 to 18. We're on a pace to break 2020's record (31) by more than five.
"It's senseless and it has to stop," said Ricardo Franklin from his office inside the Fayette County Sheriff's office. Ricardo has replaced his late mother Anita as the Sheriff's Community Outreach Coordinator. He lost his brother Antonio several years ago when he was hit by stray bullets near a park in Lexington.
"No one should have to go through what my family went through," he stressed.
Two more families are going through it after last night's incidents. One occurred on Hedgewood Court, where a man, later identified as 28-year-old Shon Davis Jr., was found shot to death in a vehicle. The other took place on Winchester Road near Hillcrest Avenue. People living in the area are growing weary of these shootings.
"Three people have died up there in the last three months. It's getting ridiculous," said Michael King.
King has lived in the same home since 1999, but he's considering his options if the situation doesn't improve.
"I have two young children here, so yeah I've definitely considered moving. Me and my wife have talked about it," he said before driving off with one of his kids.
King, who works the third shift and arrives home around 4:30 every morning has noticed a few nightclubs that are still open at that hour and said he knows the problems are originating at one, or all of them.
"I came home one Friday I believe, and there’s a guy laying up there dead in the middle of the street," he said.
The entire situation is upsetting to Ricardo, who essentially has to relive his brother's death each time this happens.
"I always had plans for us when I grew up. Can't wait to do this, or can't wait to be an uncle. Now those are experiences I'll never get to share with my brother," he said.
Now two more Lexington families know exactly how he feels.
"We should be talking about how Lexington is one of the safest cities in the United States of America. And bringing jobs here, and people to live here."
Today, we’re talking about two more people dying here.
"It's very disheartening," Franklin added.
