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Lexington Police Call Press Conference To Address Rash Of Homicides

Lexington Police Chief Mark Barnard briefed the media on four homicide investigations.  The first four murders of 2016.
WLEX TV
Lexington Police Chief Mark Barnard briefed the media on four homicide investigations. The first four murders of 2016.

Despite a rash of homicides in just the first two weeks of the New Year, Police in Lexington are reassuring the public that the city is not in danger of being overrun by violent criminals.  At a press conference Wednesday Police Chief Mark Barnard said all four of the homicides have been linked to what he called high risk behavior by the victims.

Lexington Police Chief Mark Barnard briefed the media on four homicide investigations.  The first four murders of 2016.
Credit WLEX TV
Lexington Police Chief Mark Barnard briefed the media on four homicide investigations. The first four murders of 2016.

“Our first victim was contacted by someone and went to meet that individual.  Individuals on Red Mile knew the individual they were with…University Avenue, we knew they were going to a high risk area, or visiting a high risk area, and were approached by the suspects, and on Russell Cave we think we have a connection between our victim and our homicide suspect.  These aren’t random acts.  They are acts that are associated around risk behaviors,” Barnard said. 

Barnard announced that warrants have been issued in the shooting death of 18 year old Caleb Hallet.  The Lafayette High School grad was robbed and killed early Saturday morning in a parking lot behind some apartments on University Avenue by two men wearing masks, who fled the scene in a white Jeep Cherokee.

Police are looking for 21-year-old Kenyon Hipps, 18-year-old Marquess Smith and three juveniles. Two of the juveniles are already in custody. Hipps, Smith and one of the juveniles are wanted for murder and robbery.

Copyright 2016 WUKY

Alan Lytle