Louisville police say fatal shootings on Baxter Avenue near Highlands' nightclub were separate (2024)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville leaders say proactive work is being done to improve safety around Bardstown Road as the popular entertainment corridor has been plagued by violence in the past few years.

Two men were killed in separate shootings last weekend on Baxter Avenue. The shooting in the early morning hours of Aug. 11 in the 900 block of Baxter Avenue, between Highland Avenue and Broadway, had Louisville Metro Police officers and first responders scrambling to control the scene and treat victims.

Montay Wade, 29, was allegedly shot and killed by Richie Williams, according to police. Williams, 37,was arrested Thursday and charged with murder and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon in connection with the shooting. Williams pleaded not guilty to murdering Wade.

After shooting Wade, Williams was shot by someone police haven't identified yet. Police said Williams was seen dropping a handgun on Baxter Avenue before fleeing the scene on foot. Williams went to Norton Women and Children's Hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg, where he was identified by police.

LMPD Lt. Les Skaggs said three minutes after the shooting involving Williams and Wade, another shooting occurred. That's when Michael Bachelor Jr. was shot and killed. No one has been charged for his death. LMPD homicide detectives continue to search for suspects in Bachelor's death.

The two shooting were separate, according to police.

"We do not believe Williams had anything to do with the homicide of Bachelor," Skaggs said. "Our investigation is ongoing."

Skaggs wouldn't confirm if the shootings were gang-related.

"Louisville has a gang problem," Skaggs said. "We're in the position to say it was a violent criminal act, we're investigating that fully."

Maj. Arnold Rivera with LMPD's Major Crimes Division said there have been 27 felony arrests, 25 arrest warrants served, eight firearms seized and four stolen vehicles recovered in the Fifth District this year.

"Overall in the Fifth Division, crime is down around 6% for the year," Rivera said.

Louisville Metro Councilman Ben Reno-Weber, who represents the city's Eighth District, which includes the Highlands, said city officials and law enforcement are working to support businesses and keep people safe. He also called for increased support for public programs that help at-risk youth and families.

"When we fail to invest in the programs, wrap arounds and services that support those families, this is the natural result," Reno-Weber said. "The last report by the Greater Louisville Project made it extremely clear that our community's disinvestment in programs that target youth that are disconnected or at risk of becoming disconnected, you can track a couple years later, the up-surge in engagement in the activities that we don't want people to be involved in."

In July,Afrokanza Lounge on Bardstown Road closed after months of investigations into late night violence and complaints from area residents.Afrokanza Lounge, along with nearby Café 360, was referred to the city's code enforcement aftera shooting behind one of the bars at 3 a.m. in July 2023 killed one person and left two others wounded.

Another person was shot and killed — also around 3 a.m. — at Café 360 in March 4 of this year. Four days later,Café 360 voluntarily gave up its liquor license for six months.

In August 2023, hundreds ofneighbors fed up with the violence packed into a local churchto voice their concerns. That's when city officials announced ABC and Louisville Metro Police would be ramping up patrols in the area.

"The concerns of community members are being heard by proactive work up and down our entertainment corridors in coordination with these agencies and others," Reno-Weber said on Monday.

Anyone with information in this or any other case is asked to call LMPD's anonymous Crime Tip Line at 502-574-LMPD (5673). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online through the LMPD Crime Tip Portal byclicking here.

Alcoholic Beverage ControlDirector Brad Silveria said an anonymous tip led the agency to seizing a "substantial" amount of illegal alcohol being stored at a location in Fern Creek.

"No tip is too small for what we are trying to accomplish," Silveria said."That one little tip, seized 55 cases of alcohol in storage."

Anonymous tips to theAlcoholic Beverage Control can be called at (502) 574-3591, selecting option 4.

Related Stories:

• Man charged with murder in connection to shooting outside Highlands nightclubs
• 2 men identified as victims of fatal shooting early Sunday morning on Baxter Avenue in the Highlands
• Former Louisville gang member says social media fueling violence on the streets
• Louisville residents demand action after latest fatal shooting outside Highlands nightclubs
• 2 dead, 1 injured following Sunday morning shooting on Baxter Avenue in the Highlands

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