Deadly Shooting in Louisville Kroger Parking Lot Leaves Two Dead, One Injured as LMPD Investigates Targeted Attack in Okolona Neighborhood
Louisville, KY — A tragic shooting unfolded Saturday evening in the parking lot of a Kroger grocery store, leaving two people dead and another injured in what Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) is describing as a targeted act of violence.
The incident occurred shortly before 6:30 p.m. at the Kroger located in the 4800 block of Outer Loop in the Okolona neighborhood of Louisville. Officers from the LMPD’s Sixth Division responded to several 911 calls reporting gunfire in the busy shopping plaza. Upon arrival, police discovered three adult victims suffering from gunshot wounds in the store’s parking lot.
According to LMPD spokesperson Dwight Mitchell, two of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene. The third victim, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was transported to University of Louisville Hospital for treatment. That individual’s condition has since stabilized.
Authorities say the shooting does not appear to be a random act, and initial evidence suggests that the victims were specifically targeted. No arrests have been made as of Sunday morning, and police are working to determine a motive and identify suspects.
Witness Accounts and Scene Response
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as shoppers ran for cover upon hearing the gunshots. Many people inside the Kroger store were temporarily locked down as police secured the perimeter. Surveillance footage is being reviewed, and detectives are seeking assistance from the public to identify individuals seen fleeing the scene.
One shopper, who asked not to be named, said, “We heard at least five or six shots. People were screaming, running. I grabbed my kids and we got down behind the produce counter.”
Investigation and Community Impact
The LMPD Homicide Unit is leading the investigation. Officers spent hours on scene Saturday evening interviewing witnesses, collecting shell casings, and reviewing surveillance footage from surrounding businesses. Authorities believe there may have been multiple shooters, though that has not yet been confirmed.
The victims have not been publicly identified pending family notifications. Police have not confirmed whether the shooting was gang-related, domestic, or connected to any previous incidents.
Mayor Craig Greenberg released a statement late Saturday, saying, “Gun violence continues to devastate families and communities in our city. I am urging anyone with information about this horrific act to come forward and help our law enforcement bring justice to the victims and their families.”
Appeal for Information
The LMPD is asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has cell phone footage from the parking lot around the time of the incident to come forward. Tipsters can remain anonymous by contacting LMPD’s Crime Tip Line at (502) 574-LMPD (5673).
This incident marks yet another violent episode in a year where Louisville has struggled to contain a persistent wave of shootings, many of which have taken place in public spaces, further alarming local residents.
The investigation remains ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.