A male juvenile has been arrested and is facing several charges related to a Jan. 20 shooting incident. According to the Owensboro Police Department, the juvenile was charged that night and released by the court system, but further investigation determined the person was directly involved with the incident and more charges were added. A 19-year-old male and juvenile female are also facing charges in this case.
The incident occurred Jan. 20 when an occupied vehicle was struck multiple times by gunfire in the area of East 26th Street and Strawbridge Place, though no one was injured.
According to OPD, the male juvenile was charged Wednesday with two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, along with one count each of first-degree criminal mischief and tampering with physical evidence.
Originally, the male juvenile was charged the night of the firearm discharge with possession of a handgun by a minor (first offense) and released by the Court Designated Workers office, according to a release.
Following this juvenile’s release, detectives continued the investigation and determined the juvenile was directly involved in the shooting incident and a juvenile pickup order was obtained on Jan. 25.
According to OPD, information was obtained that this juvenile fled the Owensboro area after learning of his pick-up order. Once it was determined the juvenile returned to the area, officers were able to locate him and serve the pick-up order on May 11.
The juvenile is being held at the Warren Regional Juvenile Detention Center.
On Jan. 21, OPD announced that Kobe Smith (19 years old of Owensboro) was charged with two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, one count of first-degree criminal mischief, and tampering with physical evidence in this case. He was already facing one county of unlawful transaction with a minor.
OPD also announced on Jan. 21 that a juvenile female was charged with two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and one count of first-degree criminal mischief. She had already been charged with possession of a handgun by a minor, (first offense).
Detectives are continuing to investigate and anyone with any information about the incident is encouraged to call the Owensboro Police Department at 270-687- 8888 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 270-687-8484.
