Man and teen arrested after 15-year-old fatally shot in Elizabethtown

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. – A man is behind bars and a teen is charged with murder after the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old in Elizabethtown.

According to a social media post by Chris Denham, public affairs officer with the Elizabethtown Police Department, shortly before 2:30 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a Lowe’s parking lot regarding a female who had been shot in the chest.

Upon arrival, police say they made contact with 21-year-old Bryan Harbison of McDaniels.

Harbison was providing CPR to a 15-year-old victim, authorities say.

Police say a second female on scene was found to also be 15 years old.

The victim was transported to Baptist Health Hardin by Hardin County EMS, where she was pronounce dead.

Authorities say Harbison told officers he had met the teens through Snapchat and believed the victim to be 18 years old.

Harbison bought alcohol for them prior to picking the teens up, authorities say. The three then went to the Lowe’s parking lot to drink, according to police.

Authorities say Harbison and the victim were in the back seat of the truck when the other female was in the driver’s seat.

Police say the juvenile suspect admitted to picking up a handgun that was in the vehicle, pointing it at the victim and pulling the trigger.

Authorities say the round that was fired struck the victim in the chest.

The juvenile suspect and Harbison allegedly provided different accounts on how the teen possessed the firearm.

According to police, the juvenile stated Harbison placed the firearm on the center console and told her it was unloaded. Authorities say Harbison stated the firearm had been secured in his glove compartment and that the suspect removed it without his knowledge.

The juvenile suspect was taken into custody and charged with murder.

Harbison is charged with third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor and first-degree wanton endangerment.

He remains at the Hardin County Detention Center.

The names of the two teens involved in this case have not been released at this time.