A mother and daughter are dead after a shooting Friday night in Shelby County, and a Shelbyville man has been charged in their deaths.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A mother and daughter are dead after a shooting Friday night in Shelby County, and a family member has been charged in their deaths. 

Shelby County homicide victims Beth Simmons and Emily Hunt

Pictured: This image taken from a photo provided by family members shows homicide victims Beth Simmons and her daughter Emily Hunt. (Family photo)

According to Capt. Blake Lisby with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, officers responded to a shooting report in the 200 block of Pleasureville Road, in Pleasureville, Ky.,  just after 8:30 p.m. on June 21.

That's where deputies found two women who had been shot. Lisby said one of those women -- 56-year-old Beth Simmons -- was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Lisby said Simmons' daughter -- 33-year-old Emily Hunt -- was taken to a Louisville hospital in critical condition. She died from her injuries on Sunday afternoon, he said.

Lisby said Emily Hunt's husband, 32-year-old Michael Hunt, is the suspect in the case. According to sheriff's office, he's accused of shooting his wife and mother-in-law. He was arrested and taken to the Shelby County Detention Center where he is charged with murder and attempted murder. 

Michael Hunt booking photo

Michael Hunt, 32, was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder after a shooting in Shelby County on Friday, June 21, 2024. (Photo from Shelby County Detention Center)

According to a citation, Michael Hunt was taken to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office for questioning. After he was advised of his Miranda rights, he allegedly told investigators "he had a job to take both females out and that he had shot both victims in the head," according to court documents. 

Lisby said the Simmons family is "very well known in the community, as far as I know, life-long residents, very active in the community and the community's definitely shaken at this point."

Shelby County resident Margie Yusk said it's unbelievable and disturbing.

"It's shocking," she said. "It's a very safe town, you never hear of any violence, rarely any crime."

Lisby said there is no information at this point about a potential motive.

"A lot of friends and family that are distraught and just wondering why this happened," he said. 

Funeral arrangements for the mother and daughter have not yet been announced, but the family issued a written statement Monday afternoon: 

We are grateful for the love and support that we have received from the community during this difficult time and ask for continued privacy. Once funeral arrangements have been made, a public service will be held to celebrate Beth and Emily.

— Ron Simmons

Michael Hunt is scheduled to appear in court in Shelby County on Tuesday, June 25 at 1 p.m. 

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