In a heartbreaking incident that unfolded Wednesday night, the Elizabethtown community is left in shock and mourning following a fatal shooting that claimed the life of 37-year-old Kenyeta McWilliams. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Chris Allen Bell Jr., is now in custody and facing multiple charges, including murder.
Law enforcement acted swiftly, apprehending Bell shortly after midnight. In addition to the murder charge, Bell faces charges of violation of a Kentucky Emergency Protective Order/Domestic Violence Order (EPO/DVO), failure to appear, and contempt of court libel/slander resistance to order. Contrary to initial speculation, Denham clarified that there is no indication of a romantic relationship between Bell and McWilliams. The motive behind the tragic incident is yet to be fully understood.
Bell is currently held at the Hardin County Detention Center on a $1 million cash bond. The community is grappling with the loss of McWilliams, and local authorities are providing support to her family and loved ones during this difficult time. As the legal proceedings unfold, Elizabethtown residents are left reflecting on the impact of senseless violence in their community and advocating for increased efforts to prevent such tragedies in the future. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of community vigilance and support for those affected by acts of violence.
The Elizabethtown Police Department received a distressing call at 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting an immediate response to McWilliams’ residence on Henon Lane. Despite officers’ efforts to administer life-saving measures upon arrival, McWilliams was tragically pronounced dead at the scene upon the arrival of Emergency Medical Services.
Chris Denham, spokesperson for the Elizabethtown Police Department, provided details about the incident. “We arrived within a couple of minutes, and the suspect was identified almost immediately. Within the hour, he was located inside of a residence on Deepwood Drive,” Denham said.
Eyewitness accounts, coupled with surveillance footage cited in Bell’s arrest citation, shed light on the events leading up to the shooting. According to reports, Bell was observed knocking on the front door and gaining entry into the residence. However, when asked to leave, he refused. Subsequently, McWilliams closed the door, at which point Bell allegedly fired multiple gunshots through the door, fatally striking the victim. Following the shooting, Bell fled the scene in a van.
