Teens considered suspects in Prestonsburg shooting incident

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. (WYMT) - Investigators with the Prestonsburg Police Department released more details about Friday night’s shooting incident, saying the culprits were two teenagers.

Police Chief Ross Shurtleff said the initial reports began coming in Friday night, but the calls did not come in at the same time.

He said investigators immediately began looking into the situation and quickly found that the truck they believed to be responsible for the shooting, using surveillance footage from the nearby businesses.

“We knew that it was no longer an active threat. We knew where the gunfire was coming from, we knew that a witness had observed what we believed to be a suspect vehicle fleeing the scene,” said Shurtleff.

Shurtleff said investigators believed those involved were underage and they were unable to share the photos they had with the public for legal reasons as the investigation continued.

“We had a very strong suspicion that this was a - like I said in the original press release- this was a very poor attempt at somebody being stupid and trying to have some sick, twisted fun,” he said.

By Monday, there were staggered reports of five drivers with gunshot holes in their vehicles- some in the body, one in the tire. Shurtleff said some people only began connecting the dots after the news was posted through the department’s news release on social media.

However, investigators say it was important to let people know the incident was not a targeted active shooter situation.

“Somebody being stupid, trying to have some twisted fun,” Shurtleff said.

Still, he said, the intention behind the act did not diminish the danger, and the department has worked to find the people responsible. A teenager was interviewed this week, identified as the driver of the vehicle from which police say the shots were fired.

According to Shurtleff, the driver claims to have been driving around with his teenage friend when they pulled over near the Bull Creek Trade Center.

“And the passenger leans over the driver, says, ‘Watch this. I bet I can shoot some tires out.’ And as cars go by, he takes one shot at each car, trying to shoot their tires out,” Shurtleff said.

Many people shared their concerns on social media, saying the dangerous situation could have been worse. Tim Hastings, whose truck was shot, said he is blessed the bullet did not make it through the plastic door panel.

“Somebody could’ve got killed. It actually went through the door,” said Hastings. “Look, if they would have aimed high, where they would have hit. Right in my head. That’s scary.”

Hastings said he heard the shot hit and thought it was a blowout, but when his car did not react, he thought it someone threw something at the side of his truck.

“I just heard a loud bang. I was thinking, you know, somebody tossed a rock. I never thought it would be a bullet,” he said.

Shurtleff said the teenage driver has been cooperative with the investigation and the department spent Tuesday looking for the accused shooter, saying it is unknown how the kid obtained the semi-automatic handgun.

He said, though the department is unable to share the boys’ identities, the case will head before the court to see how it will be handled.

“They will be charged,” said Shurtleff. “These kids have never been in any trouble before that we could find any record of, they just thought that it would be funny. And they’re going to figure out how funny it is as they work through the court system on felony charges.”

Though the charges are unknown as the investigation continues and the court weighs in, Shurtleff said he anticipates the shooter will be charged with first degree wanton endangerment. He said the driver could see charges for complicity to whatever charges are handed down for the shooter.

“Two feet higher and it’s a murder charge,” Shurtleff said. “Everything that we can charge, we will charge. Everything the prosecutors feel comfortable with proving a case on, we’re gonna charge.”