Beech Tree News Network

A suspect in a shooting death earlier today was shot and killed Wednesday afternoon by Kentucky State Police behind John Hardin High School.

The 7th Grade Band from Butler County Middle, along with Band Director Jordan Evans, was actually on campus attending the KMEA (Kentucky Music Educators Association) Festival at the time of the incident. The school was placed on lock-down, which included BCMS Band students

The situation was monitored by school officials as soon as they became aware.

"We stayed in contact with our teachers on campus as soon as the incident started and communicated with parents as more information became available," said BCMS Principal Tim Freeman.  "I commend our school personnel - both here and at John Hardin - for helping keep our students safe.  They did a great job."  

Butler County Schools' Superintendent Scott Howard was notified shortly after the situation developed.

"At approximately 12:00 noon, Mr. (Tim) Freeman (BCMS principal) shared the information with me in regards to the events at John Hardin High School," said Superintendent Scott Howard.  "We immediately made the decision to utilize our automated calling system to inform parents of the lock-down situation and that our kids were safe.  I am very proud of our students, bus drivers, teachers, and administration for the great job they did in following all safety procedures.  Student and staff safety continue to be a top priority for our district."

The situation, apparently resulting from an unknown domestic dispute near the school campus, resulted in two fatalities - one who was shot and killed by police. 

Due to the seriousness of the incident, Supt. Howard and school counselors from across the district were on hand at the middle school to meet students when they arrived at BCMS at around 3:30 p.m.

"Thank you to our counselors from each school for the job they do," said Howard.  "Our counselors were at the middle school yesterday afternoon when our students arrived back at the school and will be at the school today as long the students want to talk about the event." 

Authorities say a man believed to be responsible for shooting his wife to death on Wise Lane in Elizabethtown drove to the high school to pick up his child when he was confronted by police behind John Hardin High School. The man was shot and killed by Kentucky State Police.

KSP Post 4 spokesman said police were notified of the shooting and contacted the school district to go on lockdown so the individual couldn’t enter the building.

He said the man was located behind the school in a van and was shot and killed. He couldn’t confirm if the man pulled a gun on police.

Gregory said KSP, Radcliff Police Department and the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office arrived at JHHS to try and locate the individual.

Three schools — John Hardin High School, Bluegrass Middle School and New Highland Elementary School — were placed on lockdown before 1 p.m. and the lockdown was lifted at the middle school and elementary school around 1:45 p.m.

All students were safe during the lockdown.

School officials and law enforcement will hold a news conference soon to address the situation.

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The News-Enterprise
Kentucky Press News Service