Louisville judge sets $500K bond for man charged in fatal shooting outside bar in Russell

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville man arrested Wednesday for a fatal shooting outside a club in Louisville's Russell neighborhood was in court Thursday.

Kevin Powell, 60, is charged with murder, assault and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon in connection to the double shooting at Club Cedar that killed one man and injured another on Sunday evening.

During Powell's court appearance, prosecutors cited his lengthy criminal record and asked for the bond to be raised to $1 million. However, the judge decided to keep Powell's bond at $500,000 full cash after his attorney argued that amount would be far out of Powell's reach to post.

Louisville Metro Police spokesperson Dwight Mitchell said police responded to shooting in the 400 block of South 26th Street at the parking lot of Club Cedar on Nov. 17. When police arrived on scene, they found the victims.

One man died at the scene, and the second man was taken to UofL Hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg, Mitchell said.

The man who died was identified Thursday by family members as 54-year-old Earl Crawford. Frances Chappell and Barry Crawford said Thursday their brother loved going to Club Cedar.

"That was like his home. ... He hung out there, mostly in the parking lot," Chappell and Crawford said. "My brother was a community person. He liked people and he liked to laugh and have a good time."

Powell is allegedly connected to two additional double shootings, one in 2018 and the other in 2022, which is why he has a high bond. Crawford said he's glad Powell is off the streets.

"It makes me feel better," he said Thursday.

"... When I found out who it was, I looked him up," Chappell added. "And he had done this before to other people, other families."

Powell pleaded not guilty to his charges. He is due back in court Dec. 4.

Earl Crawford's family members are having a love walk at 2 p.m. Saturday in his honor. They'll start at Kroger on West Broadway and make their way to Club Cedar.

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