Greenville Police Chief provides details on pursuit with deadly shooting suspect

GREENVILLE, Ky. (WEHT) — Police in Greenville, Kentucky are discussing what it was like to close in on a deadly shooting suspect over 100 miles away from the crime.

Christopher Elder is accused of driving off after shooting 3 people near the courthouse in Elizabethtown around 9 this morning.

“It was very dangerous due to the mentality of the person we were dealing with,” says Chief Darren Harvey, of the Greenville Police Department.

Chief Harvey says the pursuit began north of Muhlenberg County High School, along KY 181 N. Chief Harvey was one of the first on the scene and attempted to pull Elder over.

“As soon as I got behind him and turned on my blue lights, he took off,” the chief says.

Officials say the pursuit lasted 22 minutes and reached speeds of 80 miles per hour. Although it’s not considered to be a high-speed chase, Chief Harvey says he was on high alert. He says he could see Elder’s gun through the window.

“He did turn the gun back on law enforcement, but that was just briefly. He would immediately turn the gun back on himself. With me being the chief, I was worried about everyone involved in the pursuit and what could happen if this pursuit does not come to an end,” Chief Harvey says.

Kentucky State Police assisted in the chase. Troopers say the pursuit ended in a standoff in Christan County, where Elder stopped his car in a parking lot. Despite negotiations, officials say Elder shot himself and later died at the hospital. Authorities say one of the victims, 37-year-old Erica Riley of Elizabethtown, was dating Elder. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her mother, 71-year-old Janet Riley of Hardinsburg was also shot and died from her injuries at the hospital. A third person was also wounded and we’re told is in stable condition.

Although it is not the outcome police had hoped for, Chief Harvey says he is proud of the way the agencies worked together.

“I think they have done a great job. The way everyone acted was very professional. Everybody came together as a unit,” Chief Harvey says.

More from Ann Powell

• Firefighters concerned about removal of stoplight at Grimm Road and State Road 66
• Greenville Police Chief provides details on pursuit with deadly shooting suspect
• Parent of former Bosse students reacts to new pedestrian bridge
• Woman reflects on watching tornado form outside kitchen window
• Witnesses reflect on deadly July 4th accident

Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).