LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — An accidental shooting sent a teenage boy to a Lexington hospital with a gunshot wound to his stomach.

The teenager was reportedly one of three males gathered at a residence on Ky. 552, eight miles south of London, when the shooting incident occurred just before noon on Saturday.

A 15-year-old male was in the kitchen at his grandfather’s home, showing off his grandfather’s gun to two teenage friends when he tripped, causing the .38 caliber revolver to discharge, striking a 14-year-old in the stomach.

The 15-year-old immediately called 9-1-1 and helped his friend outside where they waited for police and an ambulance to arrive. A 16-year-old juvenile, who was present when the shooting occurred, allegedly left the scene before police arrived.

The 14-year-old was airlifted from the scene to the University of Kentucky Medical Center and is reportedly recovering.

The grandfather of the teen who shot his friend told police and WKYT-TV reporters he was out of town at the time the incident occurred and was not aware that his grandson had invited friends over to his home. He added that his grandson was not supposed to be at his residence that weekend while he was out of town.

The incident was investigated by Laurel County Sheriff’s Senior Sgt. Greg Poynter, Sgt. Josh Gaylor and Deputy John Inman and is being continued by Poynter. Assisting at the scene were members of Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County and Keavy Volunteer Fire Department.

Just three hours later, Poynter and Deputy Josh Scott and Deputy Robbie Grimes responded to another shooting complaint, this time on Kentucky Hollow Road, two miles north of London.

Troy D. Miller, 45, of Kentucky Hollow Road in Pittsburg, was suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg and was flown to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment.

The investigation revealed Miller and his brother, Linville, were at the residence when Linville Miller reportedly shot his brother in the leg around 3:38 p.m. The circumstances surrounding the shooting incident is still being investigated.

However, the investigation took another twist when a female reportedly interfered with the investigation. Freda M. Tincher, 53, of Kentucky Hollow Road, was arrested at 5:14 p.m. and charged with second-degree disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

The press release from the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office states Tincher’s actions interfered with the investigation. She was taken to Laurel County Detention Center.

Assisting at the scene were members of Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County and the East Bernstadt Volunteer Fire Department.



njohnson@sentinel-echo.com