4 people shot in Russell neighborhood, Louisville police say

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Four people were taken to the hospital after being shot in Louisville's Russell neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.

Dwight Mitchell, a spokesperson for Louisville Metro Police, said officers responded to a reported shooting in the 1800 block of West Muhammad Ali Boulevard around 3:45 p.m.

Once on scene, police found three men and one woman who all had been shot. They were taken to University of Louisville Hospital with injuries not thought to be life-threatening, Mitchell said.

Police said a fight in front of the Russell Apartments on South 18th led to gunfire in the middle of the afternoon. Regina Cox, who works near the scene, told WDRB News she was working on a client when she heard what she thought was about ten shots.

"There was a young lady and she was running down the street and she was holding herself and saying 'it burns, it burns, I want my mother, I want my mother,' and I was like my God, someone really has been shot," said Cox.

More investigators were able to speed to the scene because of LMPD's new Non-fatal Shooting Unit.

"I was able to get six detectives on the scene within a very short amount of time, and that helps us get more information in a lot faster," said Lt. Steve Lacefield, with the Non-fatal Shooting Unit.

For decades, Cox said she's never felt unsafe working in the area — until now.

"I've been working on this corner for 34 years and I've never had an issue or felt uncomfortable, but I do now," she said.

Cox said she doesn't feel safe because what used to be a nighttime crime seems to happen anytime.

"Broad daylight," she said. "It's just absolutely crazy. It's just senseless."

LMPD's Non-Fatal Shooting Squad is investigating, but had no suspects and had made no arrests.

"I can't say it enough, we need the community to help," said Lacefield. "To say they've had enough of this violence, reach out to help us solve this case or any other case."

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call LMPD's anonymous Crime Tip Line at (502) 574-LMPD (5673). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online through the department's Crime Tip Portal.