February 22, 2019 at 11:15 a.m. EST
***UPDATE - SHOOTING INVESTIGATION***
On Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 1:59pm, officers from the Hillview Police Department were dispatched to 602 Prairie Drive for the report of a male shot inside of the residence. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male in the backyard, and he was refusing to comply with verbal commands given by the responding officers. Officers were finally able to detain the adult male in the backyard at the same time an adult female was exiting the residence through the front door. Officers were able to detail the adult female without incident. Both individuals confirmed to officers that an adult male with a gunshot wound was still inside of the residence. As officers entered the residence, they encountered a strong odor of marijuana and a male lying on the living room floor with a gunshot wound to his abdomen. Officers requested an ambulance to respond to the scene, and the gunshot patient was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital. The detained male and female were transported to the Hillview Police Department for further questioning related to the shooting.
Officers were able to identify the male as James B. Nichols (39) of Hillview, the female was identified as Hillary D. Carney (38) of Louisville and the gunshot patient was identified as William J. Gunnels (39) of Louisville.
Detectives from the Hillview Police Department obtained a search warrant for 602 Prairie Drive to further investigate the incident. During the execution of the search warrant, Detectives located marijuana, drug paraphernalia, money, evidence of the sale of marijuana, several firearms, ammunition and video surveillance equipment. These items were collected and packaged as evidence.
The investigative results of this incident revealed the shooting took place in the basement of the residence while Mr. Nichols was showing Mr. Gunnels and Ms. Carney a .22cal revolver. While handling the firearm, Ms. Carney had an accidental discharge with the firearm causing her to unintentionally shoot Mr. Gunnels in the abdomen. Ms. Carney immediately called 911 to report the incident and requested help. Mr. Nichols began relocating marijuana and drug paraphernalia from inside the residence out to a shed in the backyard in an effort to conceal the items from law enforcement prior to their arrival on the scene. As officers arrived on the scene, they encountered Mr. Nichols in the backyard of the residence while he was relocating the marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
• James B. Nichols was charged with Trafficking in Marijuana (8oz to < 5lbs), Resisting Arrest, Tampering with Physical Evidence
• Hillary D. Carney was arrested for an outstanding warrant from Nelson County, but she was not charged with anything related to this incident.
• William J. Gunnels was not charged with anything related to this incident, and he will recover from his injuries.
Our Officers and Detectives did an outstanding job handing this incident by quickly responding to the scene, detaining those potentially involved, rendering aid to the gunshot patient, securing & processing the scene and conducting a thorough investigation. HPD is glad this incident did not have a tragic outcome and serves as a reminder that accidents can happen. If you do not know how to handle or shoot a firearm, leave the firearm alone and get help from someone who does.
February 20, 2019 at 5:25 p.m. EST
***INFORMATION***
Today at 1:59pm, HPD responded to a shooting at 602 Prairie Drive. Upon arrival, Officers located an adult male inside of the residence with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Officers also detained two adults (1 male and 1 female) at the scene, and they are being questioned. The gunshot victim was transported to University of Louisville Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, and his current condition is unknown at this time. This is an active investigation, and HPD Detectives are currently processing the scene on Prairie Drive.
HPD wants to inform the public that no suspects are at large.
