Shooting in Harlan Co.; One person struck in eye
Published 9:31 am Wednesday, December 12, 2018
KSP confirms multiple individuals were involved in a shooting in the parking lot of Cawood Elementary School. Austin Brown, 20, of Cawood was struck in the eye as a result of multiple rounds of gunfire. Brown was later transported to University of Kentucky Medical Center for his injuries. He is listed in serious condition.
A second gunshot victim is a 15-year-old female juvenile who sustained a gunshot wound to the hip area possibly from a pellet from a shotgun. This juvenile parents were notified, responded to the scene and made a decision to not seek immediate medical attention.
During the shooting two small buildings owned by Cawood Elementary School suffered minor property damage as a result of stray gunshots striking the buildings. The actual Cawood Elementary School building was not struck by gunshots during the incident. Although no students were in the building during the time of the shooting, custodian/maintenance personnel were working inside the school.
No arrests have been made at this time. KSP detectives from Post 10 are working to identify those involved in the shooting which could lead to multiple arrests.
KSP can confirm this was an isolated incident and although the event took place on school property the school itself was not a target. KSP have gathered information regarding the incident and are confident this incident was not related to the school.
Case is still under investigation by Det. Josh Howard.
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On Tuesday, at 8:41 p.m., Kentucky State Police, Post 10 Harlan received a call about gunshots being fired in the parking lot of Cawood Elementary School in Harlan County. Troopers and detectives from Post 10 Harlan responded to scene and began an investigation.
Preliminary investigation indicates several individuals were in the parking lot of Cawood Elementary when several gunshots were fired and one individual was struck in the eye. Upon Troopers arrival at the scene, everyone involved had left the area. KSP received information a short time later that the individual shot in the eye had been taken to Harlan ARH by private vehicle.
KSP are on the scene and will release more information as it comes available. At this time no one has been placed in custody.
KSP can confirm this is an isolated incident and is not a school related incident.
The following was posted on the Harlan County Public Schools Facebook page:
This announcement is for Cawood Elementary School. All other schools are on regular schedule.
The shooting incident which occurred tonight around 9 p.m. in the Cawood community and the parking lot of Cawood Elementary did not involve any school personnel, students, or anyone associated with the school in any capacity. The shooting was a dispute between individuals who live near the school. KSP will be investigating the shooting and making related arrests well into the night. We are going to cancel classes at Cawood Elementary tomorrow, December 12, 2018 as a precaution and to avoid student/parents fears.