Second victim involved in New Albany double homicide identified by authorities

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Authorities identified the second victim involved in the New Albany double homicide Monday.

According to Indiana State Police, Lorin Yelle, 43, of Louisville, was the man shot and killed at the Circle K.

Detectives don't think there's any connection between Yelle, and the suspect, 37-year-old Cherok Ameer Douglass, or Douglass' wife, the other victim, Brandee Kay Douglass. Investigators believe Yelle was shot and killed after leaving the Circle K and walking to his vehicle.

"He was there at the gas station, just a customer, and happened to step out at the wrong time and ended up being a victim himself," Huls said. "It's very tragic, very sad."

According to ISP Sgt. Carey Huls, Cherok Douglass is facing preliminary charges of kidnapping and robbery. He is expected to face additional charges soon.

Police said they were called to Circle K near the intersection of Beechwood Avenue and Grant Line Road in New Albany just after 10 a.m. Monday, when the bodies of a Yelle and Brandee Douglass were seen on the ground.

Police were also sent to a second scene near Interstate 265 and Charlestown Road. Neighbors reported seeing police activity and hearing what sounded like several gunshots near the vicinity of The Onion Restaurant & Tea House.

The two scenes were related, according to Huls, and the second scene involved a hostage situation.

Huls said Cherok Douglass fled in a red SUV. Police said the car somehow became damaged, and Douglass got out of the vehicle and ran into The Onion Restaurant & Tea House. Inside, he allegedly took a woman hostage and forced her at gunpoint into a silver SUV.

"I said 'Let her go! Get me!'" Richard Wen, owner of the Onion. Wen's wife, Winnie, was the hostage.

Police said the woman eventually fell from the vehicle and was injured.

"The guy, he backs up, tried to turn around and go," Wen said. "My wife's still there and gets hurt. Oh my god. She's lucky. The car just ran over her shoulder."

Wen says his wife is recovering at University Hospital. According to him, she has broken ribs, a broken shoulder, and lung and facial injuries.

Wen has closed the restaurant for at least a week, but fears it may be longer. The family does not have health insurance and anticipates expensive medical bills for Winnie.

A GoFundMe page has been created to raise money for the bills.

Police said Douglass drove the vehicle at officers. That's when, Huls said, officers opened fire on Douglass, shooting him as he crashed the vehicle.

Crashed silver SUV driven by double homicide suspect in New Albany on April 4, 2022 — Police say one person is in custody after two people -- a man and a woman -- were shot to death at a New Albany gas station on the morning of Monday, April 4, 2022. Pictured here is a silver SUV driven police say was driven by the suspect, who was shot by officers after he allegedly drove toward them. (Image courtesy: Indiana State Police)

Both Douglass and the hostage were taken to the hospital. Their injuries were not believed to be life threatening, Huls said.

He said two officers with the New Albany Police Department fired their weapons, as did a deputy with the Floyd County Sheriff's Department.

New Albany Police Chief Todd Bailey issued a statement Monday morning, saying in part that, "after an initial review of the incident it appears all officers at the scene of the officer involved shooting followed policy and acted appropriately."

Huls said originally the New Albany Police Department would handle the investigation of the Circle K homicide scene, while the Indiana State Police will investigate the scene at The Onion Restaurant & Tea House and the police-involved shooting. But on Tuesday morning, he said authorities decided that ISP would handle the entire investigation, in order to streamline the process.

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