Shooting At Kentucky Men's Homeless Shelter Leaves 2 Dead, 4 Injured; Suspect In Custody

KEY POINTS

There were about 15 people inside the shelter when the shooting transpired
A witness said he heard about nine shots during the "crazy" shooting
Last month, two people died in a shooting at an Ohio homeless facility

Two people were killed and four others were injured Thursday night in a mass shooting at a homeless shelter for men in Kentucky. A witness described the "crazy" moment when an injured resident was shot in the shoulder.

Authorities were alerted to a shooting at the Harbor House Christian Center in Henderson around 7:40 p.m. There were about 15 people inside the homeless shelter when the shooting occurred, Henderson City Commissioner Robert Pruitt revealed.

Local government authorities confirmed two deaths in the incident, the Courier & Press reported.

Two dead, others wounded in shooting at #HendersonKY homeless shelter. Suspect in custody. I’ve arrived at the Henderson Police Dept and will have updates from a 10:30 press conference. https://t.co/Br6ENTJAkh
— John Martin (@ECPjohnmartin) August 26, 2022

Resident and witness Brian McClain said a man who he believes was the shooter approached him but walked away soon after looking at McClain in a "funny" way. McClain said "it wasn't five seconds later" after the man walked away when he heard about "eight or nine shots."

McClain also told the outlet that "another dude ran into the dorm and said 'man I think I'm shot.' And he got shot right here in the (left) shoulder."

DEVELOPING: Two people killed and multiple others injured after shooting at a Kentucky homeless shelter, authorities say. https://t.co/3NlnIdaWJy
— ABC News (@ABC) August 26, 2022

The Henderson Police Department (HPD) identified a suspect in the shooting, Kenneth R. Gibbs, who was taken into custody before 10 p.m. Thursday, local KIRO-TV reported. Witnesses had identified Gibbs as the gunman and officials confirmed he was a resident at the Christian facility.

HPD Chief Sean McKinney said Gibbs was armed when he was arrested at Hays Boat Ramp, which is located in the 2000 block of North Elm Street. No details have been provided yet about the weapon Gibbs was carrying when he was taken into custody.

The identities of the deceased victims were not revealed and no details were provided on the motive for the shooting.

News of the shooting came just a month after two people were fatally shot at the Van Buren Emergency Shelter in mid-July in Ohio. According to the Columbus Division of Police (CPD), footage of the shooting incident tied Christopher O. Smith to the crime at the homeless shelter, KSHB reported.

Smith was arrested about a day after the shooting and was charged with two counts of murder. Detectives said they learned of a confrontation at the homeless shelter that could have triggered the shooting.