Lexington, October 21, 2025
News Summary
Lexington police are investigating a double homicide that occurred early Saturday morning, resulting in the deaths of two men. The 69-year-old suspect, Deborah Weiss, has been charged with murder. The victims have been identified as Edward Parker and Ashim Heanacho. This incident adds to the troubling trend of gun violence in Lexington, with community leaders calling for safer neighborhoods and preventive measures to address the ongoing issues related to firearms.
Lexington police are investigating a double homicide that resulted in the deaths of two men who were shot early Saturday morning. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. in the 1700 block of Russell Cave Road, near the Lexington Public Library’s Northside Branch.
This tragic event has led to the arrest of 69-year-old Deborah Weiss, who has been charged with two counts of murder. Weiss is currently being held at the Fayette County Detention Center, with a bond set at $1 million. During her arraignment, she pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The victims have been identified by the Fayette County Coroner as 52-year-old Edward Parker and 71-year-old Ashim Heanacho. Emergency services arrived on the scene to discover both men had sustained fatal gunshot wounds, and they were pronounced dead shortly after.
The double homicide is part of a troubling trend in Lexington, which has recorded a total of 30 shootings so far this year, lower than the four-year average of 62 shootings at this point in time. Comparatively, the city has reported 15 homicides by gun, slightly below the average of 17 at the same time in previous years.
Community leaders have expressed deep concern over the violence. District 1 Councilmember Tyler Morton stated the need for safer neighborhoods in light of the recent shootings. Furthermore, local activist Terry Dumphord pointed out that gun violence can impact any area and highlighted the necessity for ongoing initiatives to address these issues.
In a separate incident following the double homicide, a juvenile was found shot at the Canter Pointe Apartments on Tates Creek Road. The child has been transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, but no arrests have been reported in that case at this time.
As the community grapples with this violence, conversations on prevention strategies have intensified. Officials are focusing on measures to mitigate retaliatory violence and provide critical resources to individuals at risk of entering the cycle of violence.
Questions surrounding Weiss’s access to a firearm have emerged from local organizations that support vulnerable populations. These discussions underlie the complexities surrounding firearm access and gun violence in the community.
A preliminary hearing for Weiss has been scheduled for next Monday at 8:30 a.m., where further developments in this case are anticipated.
Key Statistics
| Statistic | Current Year | Four-Year Average |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Shootings | 30 | 62 |
| Homicides by Gun | 15 | 17 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in Lexington on Saturday morning?
A double homicide occurred early Saturday morning when two men were shot to death in the 1700 block of Russell Cave Road.
Who were the victims?
The victims have been identified as 52-year-old Edward Parker and 71-year-old Ashim Heanacho.
What charges were filed in connection with this incident?
Deborah Weiss, a 69-year-old woman, has been arrested and charged with two counts of murder.
What is being done to address gun violence in the community?
Community leaders are focusing on prevention strategies to mitigate retaliatory violence and provide resources for those at risk of entering the cycle of violence.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Double Homicide Investigation Underway in Lexington
Lexington Celebrates Heroes Day and Gun Violence Reduction
Law Enforcement Urges Public Assistance in 20-Year-Old Murder Case
Lexington Police Renew Investigation into Unsolved Murder Case
Two Shootings in Lexington Leave Community in Shock
Lexington Hosts ‘Walk a Mile in Our Shoes’ Event
Sentencing Concludes Series of Homicide Cases in Central Kentucky
Kentucky Man Indicted for Multiple Murders and Drug Charges
Lexington Police Investigate Recent Juvenile Involvement in Shootings
Additional Resources
- WTVQ: Two Men Dead in Lexington Shooting
- Wikipedia: Lexington, Kentucky
- WKYT: Lexington Double Homicide Victims Identified
- Google Search: Lexington double homicide
- LEX18: Woman Charged in Double Homicide Appears in Court
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homicide
- Fox 56 News: Lexington Woman Charged in Double Homicide
- Google News: Lexington homicide
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