Sheriff’s Office attempting to locate shooting suspect, still have no motive

June 6, 2019 | 3:35 am

Updated June 6, 2019 | 9:59 am

The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office is still on the lookout for a 17-year old suspect believed to have been involved in Saturday’s shooting and double homicide in Whitesville. The unnamed juvenile is being charged with two counts of murder and one count of second-degree assault.

On Wednesday, the sheriff’s office released a warrant for the juvenile’s arrest but have not been able to locate him.

Since the suspect is a minor, his name cannot be released to the public.

A statement from the DCSO said, “Kentucky statutes prohibit the release of the juvenile’s identity pending adjudication in Juvenile Court, remanding him to Circuit Court as an adult. Apprehension of the juvenile is still being sought.”

Two died in the shooting, while a third was sent to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital with injuries.

One of the teenagers who died was 16-year-old Amarius Winstead. According to his mother, April Winstead, the teenager was attempting to get a fresh start in life after the two of them had just moved back to Owensboro after spending the last five years in Evansville, Ind.

According to April, her son’s life ended before he’d spent an entire 24 hours in his former hometown.

Based on conversations April said she had with others surrounding the incident, she believes the alleged shooter’s intentions were racially motivated.

The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office confirmed April’s story about racial slurs being expressed by the suspect after the shooting occurred, though the law enforcement agency hasn’t determined race to be the primary motive for the killings.

“When you talk about racial slurs and derogatory phrases involving race being said on social media, some of the things that have been said [by the suspect] do have racial components to them,” DCSO Chief Deputy Major Barry Smith said. “I think, as we continue in the investigation, more will be brought to light in determining the motive.”

However, April’s frustration over the lack of an arrest stems from her knowledge that the suspect had been active on social media after the shooting occurred.

“He made a SnapChat and, in the video, you can see [a local elementary school] he’s driving by in the background,” April said. “You can tell where he’s at in the video. I don’t understand how he hasn’t been found yet.”

April said she’s spoken to and met with the mothers and family members of the other victims at a vigil held at Dugan Best Park, and said she wants to support those families as they go through the same grieving process.

April also wants those who haven’t spoken to law enforcement yet but have information, to know they shouldn’t be afraid to come forward.

“It’s not about snitching,” April said. “It’s about trying to bring justice.”

June 6, 2019 | 3:35 am

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