Lexington, October 12, 2025
News Summary
A shooting incident in Lexington early Friday morning resulted in the tragic death of 17-year-old Kenlon Johnson, marking the city’s third homicide this year. The local police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting, which took place around 3:38 a.m. on Rockaway Place. Johnson was transported to the hospital but sadly pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The community is mourning the loss of a young individual who had a positive influence on many lives. Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Lexington – A shooting incident in Lexington early Friday morning has resulted in the tragic death of 17-year-old Kenlon Johnson, marking the city’s third homicide in 2024. The Lexington Police Department reported that the shooting occurred at approximately 3:38 a.m. on the 2400 block of Rockaway Place, located in the Masterson Station neighborhood.
Kenlon Johnson was transported to a local hospital after suffering critical injuries but was pronounced dead at 4:21 a.m. at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office has confirmed his identity. Currently, police have not released details about any suspects or the circumstances surrounding the shooting, although detectives from the Personal Crimes Section are conducting an investigation.
Fayette County Public Schools’ Success Academy expressed their sorrow through a Facebook post, remembering Kenlon Johnson as a young individual whose positive spirit had a profound impact on many during his short life. The community is mourning the loss of a promising teenager.
This shooting is particularly concerning given the context of rising violence in Lexington. It marks the third homicide for the year 2024, with the previous two occurring within the last month. In stark contrast, there was only one reported homicide in Lexington by this time last year. Police statistics reveal that Lexington experienced a total of 24 homicides in 2023, significantly lower than the 44 recorded in 2022. The last time the city recorded 24 or fewer homicides in a year was in 2018, and data from police records since 2008 show that this has only occurred three times over the past decade.
As police continue to investigate the circumstances of Kenlon Johnson’s death, they are urging anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward. Members of the public can contact the Lexington Police at (859) 258-3600 or submit anonymous tips to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers through their hotline, online platform, or via the P3 Tips app.
In a separate incident on Saturday night, a shooting in the 2500 block of Kearney Ridge Boulevard resulted in injuries to two individuals. At approximately 7:35 p.m., police responded to the scene after one victim flagged them down while en route. This victim was subsequently taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The second victim was located on Kearney Ridge Boulevard, received treatment for minor injuries, and did not require hospitalization.
Authorities have not released any information about suspects related to this incident and are asking the public to provide any pertinent information. Additionally, on Friday afternoon, a juvenile was shot near Elm Street and Charles Avenue. Police are investigating this incident and searching for six suspects. The juvenile involved in this shooting was also taken to a local hospital but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Witnesses reported seeing six individuals fleeing the scene, and residents in the area are encouraged to review any surveillance footage for potential evidence.
FAQ Section
What happened in Lexington early Friday morning?
A shooting incident occurred, resulting in the death of 17-year-old Kenlon Johnson, marking the third homicide in Lexington for 2024.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Detectives from the Personal Crimes Section of the Lexington Police Department are investigating the incident, but no suspect information has been released.
How can the community assist in the investigation?
Community members with any information about the shooting are urged to contact the Lexington Police Department at (859) 258-3600 or submit anonymous tips to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers.
Key Features Chart
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | Friday, 3:38 a.m. |
| Victim | Kenlon Johnson, 17 years old |
| Location | 2400 block of Rockaway Place, Lexington |
| Time of Death | 4:21 a.m. at University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital |
| Number of Homicides in 2024 | 3 |
| Previous Year Homicides | 1 reported by this time in 2023 |
| Total Homicides in 2023 | 24 |
| Previous High (2022) | 44 homicides |
| Years with 24 or fewer Homicides | 3 times in the last decade |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Teenager Injured in Lexington Shooting Incident
Violent Weekend in Lexington: Two Shootings Reported
Ramaco Resources Unveils Brook Mine Project in Wyoming
Lexington Celebrates Tree Week with Community Events
Lexington Police Investigate Weekend Shootings
Casting Calls Across the U.S. Offer Opportunities for Aspiring Actors
Lexington Man Charged with Multiple Homicides
Lexington Fire Department Responds to Weekend Fires
Joshua Wayne Cole Pleads Guilty to Threats Against Abilene Pride Parade
Multiple Car Crashes in Lexington and South Carolina Lead to Fatalities
Additional Resources
- WKYT: Two Lexington shootings reported within ten minutes
- LEX18: Police searching for 6 suspects following afternoon shooting in Lexington
- Kentucky.com: Lexington shooting report
- WKYT: Teenager hospitalized after Lexington shooting
- WKYT: Man enters Alford plea in deadly Lexington shooting
- Wikipedia: Crime in the United States
- Google Search: Lexington shootings
- Google Scholar: Lexington crime
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Crime
- Google News: Lexington shootings
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
