RICHMOND, Kentucky (WKYT) – Richmond police say when they arrived at the RC Conference Hall just before 3 a.m. on Sunday morning they found out that 18-year-old Alexis R. Jenkins, of Lexington, had been shot.
“We heard what sounded like fireworks,” said Samantha Ashcraft, who lives near the hall. “It was 5, I remember it was 5 pops … and the house kind of vibrated.”
According to police, Jenkins was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The incident worries Ashcraft, who has children of her own.
“I have a 19-year-old, a 25-year-old … a 20-year-old,” said Ashcraft. “I mean, what can you do for fun? Without fear for her life, you know?
Ashcraft has a friend who lives in the Countryside Inn next to the conference room.
“She said it sounded like a cannon,” said Ashcraft. “A bullet went through the apartment next to her, so this is near home.”
The friend said there was a private party going on in the hall and she heard two shots, first around noon and then around 2:30 am. She says each occasion sounded different, which led her to believe that different weapons may have been used.
The Richmond Police Chief Rodney Richardson was unable to provide any further details as the investigation into the murder is ongoing.
“Times are not like my childhood anymore,” said Ashcraft. “You come home when the lights come on. Now you can’t even go to a party without getting killed. It’s just sad times. “
The Madison County coroner said Jenkins had been taken to Louisville for an autopsy. The Richmond Police Department has asked those with information about the incident to call 859-624-4776.
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