Katen Atwell of Elizabethtown, Kentucky dies in fatal shooting incident

Katen Atwell of Elizabethtown, Kentucky dies in fatal shooting incident

Fatal Elizabethtown shooting death of Katen Atwell of Elizabethtown, Kentucky – Obituary

The Hardin County Coroner has confirmed that 15-year-old Katen Atwell was tragically killed after being shot early Sunday morning in Elizabethtown.

According to Elizabethtown police, officers arrived at the Lowe’s parking lot off Ring Road just after 2:30 a.m. Sunday to find 21-year-old Bryan Harbison performing CPR on Atwell, who had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite efforts to save her, she was later pronounced dead at Baptist Health Hardin.

Police investigation revealed that Harbison had met Atwell and another 15-year-old girl through Snapchat, believing Atwell to be 18. He had purchased alcohol for the minors and drove them to the parking lot to hang out. While the group was in the vehicle, a 15-year-old girl reportedly picked up a handgun, aimed it at Atwell, and shot her in the chest. The girl admitted to firing the gun after Harbison allegedly told the teens it was unloaded, although Harbison later stated the gun was secured in the glove compartment.

The girl who allegedly shot Atwell was arrested and charged with murder. Harbison faces charges of unlawful transaction with a minor and wanton endangerment. He pleaded not guilty in court, where his bond was set at $10,000.