4 dead, 3 injured in shooting Florence during 21st birthday party

FLORENCE, Ky. — Police have identified the four people killed in a mass shooting in Florence early Saturday morning.

Around 2:50 a.m., officers responded to reports of an active shooter inside a residence in the 2600 block of Ridgecrest Drive.

Florence Police Chief Jeff Mallery said in a press conference Saturday afternoon that officers who responded still heard gunshots being fired when they arrived.

Officers found multiple people with gunshot wounds, including two victims outside the residence. Four of the victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while three others were transported to UC Medical Center, Mallery said. He said the three people at the hospital are in “stable condition” and should make a full recovery.

Mallery identified the four people killed as 20-year-old Shane Miller, 20-year-old Hayden Rybicki, 19-year-old Delaney Eary and 44-year-old Melissa Parrett.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the victims,” Mallery said at the press conference, visibly emotional.

A 21st birthday party was being held for Parrett’s son at the time of the shooting, Mallery said.

Mallery said other partygoers told officers the shooter fled in a vehicle, which they quickly located. The suspect fled down Farmview Drive and US-42, and officers attempted a traffic stop. The suspect drove away in his vehicle, beginning a pursuit, which ended on Dale Heimbrock Way near Hicks Pike when the suspect drove into a ditch, police said.

Officers found the suspect with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Mallery said. The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Chase Garvey, was transported to St. Elizabeth Hospital where he was pronounced dead, officers said.

Garvey is a convicted felon from a previous sex offense, but Mallery said they don’t believe that is connected to the shooting. Authorities also don’t believe Garvey was invited to the party, but he was known by other partygoers, Mallery said.

Mallery said Garvey’s motive is still under investigation.

“We have never dealt with this before,” Mallery said. “I know it’s gone on throughout the nation, but this is the first time that we’ve had a mass shooting in Florence.”

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Florence police at 859-371-1234.