A tragic mass shooting in Florence, Kentucky, has left four people dead and three others injured. The incident occurred early Saturday morning during a 21st birthday party. According to the Florence Police Department, officers were dispatched to a residence around 3 a.m. after receiving multiple calls about an active shooter.
Upon arrival, officers found two victims in front of the residence and heard shots still being fired. Florence Police Chief Jeff Mallery confirmed in a news conference that four victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The victims were identified as 19-year-old Delaney Eary, 20-year-old Shane Miller, 20-year-old Hayden Rybicki, and 44-year-old Melissa Parrett. Three other individuals were transported to a local hospital and are in stable condition, expected to make a full recovery.
The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Chase Garvey, was known to some of the partygoers. Although he was not formally invited to the party, there was a relationship between him and some attendees. The motive behind the shooting is still under investigation. Garvey fled the scene in a car, leading to a police pursuit. During the chase, Garvey reportedly shot himself and veered into a ditch. He was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Chief Mallery expressed the emotional toll this incident has taken on the community, noting that this is the first mass shooting Florence has experienced. “It is very emotional,” Mallery said. “Our officers aren’t much older than the victims, so this has deeply affected everyone involved.”
The Florence Police Department’s Investigative and Crime Scene Units are handling the investigation. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene but is not conducting a separate investigation. Florence is located about 12 miles southwest of Cincinnati, Ohio.
The community is grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event. Mallery emphasized the importance of providing support to the victims’ families, the officers who responded, and everyone affected by the shooting. “We will offer any assistance to talk with peer support or medical assistance,” he said.
The Florence Police Department is urging anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward. They can be reached at 859-371-1234.
Source: NBC News, USA TODAY
