Background: News footage of the Lowe’s store in Elizabethtown, Ky., where Katen Atwell was shot and killed on Jan. 11 (WLKY). Inset (left): Bryan Harbison (Hardin County Detention Center). Inset (right): Katen Atwell (GoFundMe).

Katen Atwell, aged 15, was fatally shot in the chest during a late-night rendezvous in a Lowe’s parking lot in Elizabethtown. The chilling sequence of events unfolded early on a Sunday morning, leading to the arrest of another 15-year-old girl and 21-year-old Bryan Harbison in connection with the shooting.

The Elizabethtown Police Department responded to a distressing 911 call at approximately 2:30 a.m. The call reported a shooting at the location, prompting a swift response from law enforcement. Upon arrival, officers found Harbison administering CPR to Atwell, who was subsequently transported to a hospital but was tragically pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Harbison admitted to authorities that he had connected with the two teenagers through Snapchat. He claimed to have arranged the meeting under the impression that both girls were 18 years old. The plan, according to Harbison, was to meet in the Lowe’s parking lot where he would provide them with alcohol.

This heartbreaking incident underscores the potential dangers of digital interactions, particularly when minors are involved. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and the importance of safeguarding young individuals in a world where online connections can quickly turn perilous.

The teenage suspect told police that while she was behind the wheel of the truck, Atwell and Harbison were in the back. She admitted to police that she was the one who fired the fatal shot at Atwell. She said she picked up the gun on the truck’s center console and, believing it was not loaded, pointed it at Atwell and pulled the trigger, hitting Atwell in the chest.

Police said Harbison provided a different story, telling them that the gun was “secured in his glove compartment” and the teen picked it up without him knowing.

The teen was charged with murder. Her name was not released due to her age.

Harbison was charged with unlawful transaction with a minor and reckless endangerment. He is currently in custody at the Hardin County Detention Center, where he is being held on a $10,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 21.