After 2 fatal domestic-related shootings in 2 weeks, experts rethink ways to protect victims

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- After two recent domestic violence cases in Kentuckiana in the span of two weeks ended in homicides, some organizations want to find better ways to protect victims in abusive relationships.

Both recent cases have one thing in common: the victims were trying their best to get away from their abusers.

That's what 25-year-old Kaitlyn Lee, a New Albany mother of three was trying to do when she was gunned down while making a TikTok video in her friend's apartment on Aug. 10. Lee had been staying with the friend in an attempt to hide from her ex-boyfriend to escape the "toxic relationship."

The shooter -- 25-year-old Joshua Thompson -- was arrested and held without bond in the Floyd County jail. His trial is scheduled for March 24, 2025.

Less than two weeks later, on Aug. 19, 37-year-old Erica Riley of Elizabethtown was outside the Hardin County courthouse with her mother and father to renew an emergency protective order against the man she was dating. Her efforts were in vain, however, as 46-year-old Christopher Elder fired up to a dozen shots in the courthouse parking lot, striking Riley and her parents.

Riley died at the scene; her mother, 71-year-old Janet Riley, was taken to the hospital where she died. Riley's father survived the shooting and was hospitalized in stable condition. The man accused of pulling the trigger -- 46-year-old Christopher Elder -- led police on a chase before turning the gun on himself.

Angela Yanelli, the CEO ZeroV, said "most survivors do not see themselves as victims."

ZeroV is an organization dedicated to helping domestic violence victims and survivors get rid of the conditions that spark and enable domestic violence.

Along with providing victims with resources to find shelters, it offers a 24/7 crisis line and provides resources like housing, childcare and food.

Yanelli said the ambush killing of Riley on Monday, forced a conversation in her office questioning whether it's time to reimagine the approach to shelters.

"Perhaps the communal shelters that we currently have, that exist mostly in our state, may not be the end all to end all," Yanelli said, adding that most survivors of intimate partner violence are unhoused and live in poverty situations.

She believes making sure those victims are equipped with necessities like transportation, food and childcare could help them stay ahead of their aggressors.

"If we can meet those needs and start having thriving families, we are going to actually start seeing a reduction in gender-based violence," Yanelli said.

ZeroV offers legal assistance as well as necessities.

Rachelle Howell, a domestic violence attorney in Louisville, said it's good to have an ally like ZeroV that's familiar with the process of breaking out of an oppressive relationship.

"I think it helps the situation because it's good to have someone that knows how to navigate the system," Howard said.

Both Riley and Lee had filed protective orders before they were killed. Although they're ineffective against anyone determined to commit violence, Howell said EPOs are designed to protect against physical violence and sexual assault for up to six months at first.

"Those orders after a hearing can result in a more permanent domestic violence order which can last up to three years.

Howell admits that EPOs do not guarantee safety.

"While that is good to have that protection, that is just a piece of paper as well, so it's good to have a safety plan in place."

As always there's safety in numbers, and Yanelli said people in abusive relationships should look to one another for support. Once an individual has exhausted all legal remedies, "it's time to draw upon the resources in the community to help us stand together to end violence."

Howell pointed to websites like kentuckycourts.gov and kentuckyjustice.org have links to resources that can help survivors create a plan to stay safe if their abuser decides to violate a protective order.

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