Man sentenced to life in prison for 2022 Harbor House shooting

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The man convicted in the shooting deaths of two people at Harbor House in Henderson in 2022 was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on Tuesday.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Herb McKee confirmed to Eyewitness News that Kenneth Gibbs was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on two counts of murder, as well as ten years each for three counts of attempted murder. All sentences are set to be served concurrently.

Gibbs was charged in connection to the shooting deaths of 67-year-old Steven Wathen and 44-year-old Chad Holmes at the Harbor House shelter in Henderson on August 25, 2022.

Violent night on Clay Street

On August 25, 2022, at around 7:40 p.m., Henderson Police were dispatched to the Harbor House men’s shelter in the 800 block of Clay Street following reports of multiple people shot. Officers arriving at the scene reported one person was dead at the scene, and three others had sustained life threatening injuries.

The three injured victims were transported to local hospitals, however one of the three would die at the hospital as a result of their injuries.

The suspect was identified as a resident of the shelter, Kenneth Gibbs, and law enforcement began searching for his vehicle. At approximately 9:47 p.m., Gibbs’ vehicle was found at Hayes Boat Ramp. He was later found walking in the area of the Atkinson Park softball fields.

Gibbs was taken into custody without further incident.

The victims

Officials identified the two killed in the shooting as 67-year-old Steven Wathen and 44-year-old Chad Holmes. The two survivors of the shooting were not named by authorities, but were described as a 33-year-old male and a 41-year-old male.

All four were residents of the Harbor House.

Family of Chad Holmes said his life had just recently been turning around and he was making himself go somewhere.

“He, at least, talked to one of us a day,” said Doni Bentley. “He’s always called me and asked to hang out, and go up to the Harbor House.”

Suzanne Bowling on the Harbor House board called Wathen a sweet man who loved the Harbor House.

This is a developing story.

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