By KENNETH HART — The Independent
FALLSBURG — A man suspected of shooting three people — one fatally — early Monday morning was apprehended approximately 14 hours later.
Members of the Kentucky State Police Special Response Team found 28-year-old Jimmy Levering of Louisa hiding in the woods near Delong Branch, in the Fallsburg area, said Trooper Elliott Gollihue, a spokesman for the Ashland post of the Kentucky State Police.
Levering was taken into custody without incident. He was lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center, charged with one count of murder, two counts of first-degree assault and one count each of auto theft and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, Gollihue said.
Troopers also found Levering’s Jeep Wrangler in the woods near the spot where he was apprehended.
One of the three shooting victims, Sherry Smith, 48, was taken to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where she died several hours later, Gollihue said.
According to Gollihue, Levering and his wife, Wilma Levering, 29, had been staying in the Fuller Ridge home of Smith and her boyfriend, Ronald Young, 44. Shortly after midnight Monday, Jimmy Levering allegedly shot Smith and Young, then fled the residence with his wife, he said.
A short time later, Jimmy Levering allegedly shot his wife while the couple was traveling near the junction of Ky. 3398 and Delong Branch, Gollhue said. Wilma Levering managed to escape from the vehicle and called 911 from a grocery store at Fallsburg, he said.
Wilma Levering was treated at a local hospital and released, Gollihue said. No information was immediately available on Young’s condition.
The shootings remain under investigation. Detectives have yet to determine a motive, Gollihue said.
KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.
