It was supposed to be a night of celebration. Neighbors were out, families had gathered, and people were spending an evening together at Charles Young Park during East End Day, one of Lexington’s community events.
Then gunfire broke out, leaving a 16-year-old dead, four others injured, and a city forced to confront another major investigation involving violence in a public space.
Within a day, police had arrested 18-year-old Jametrius M. Griffin, but the case also brought renewed attention to a bigger question surrounding Lexington’s recent history of mass shootings;
What happens when communities are still waiting for answers in earlier cases?
A Celebration Interrupted by Gunfire
One community event quickly became a crime scene after five people were shot at Charles Young Park.
Police said the shooting happened at approximately 6:48 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, during the East End Day celebration. Officers responded after reports of gunfire and found five people who had been shot.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office identified the person killed as 16-year-old Di’Zhon Robertson. According to the coroner, Robertson died at 7:10 p.m. at the University of Kentucky Hospital emergency room after suffering a gunshot wound.
The four surviving victims included a 4-year-old, a 14-year-old, a 39-year-old, and a 41-year-old, according to an arrest citation reviewed by local reporting. Police initially described their injuries as non-life-threatening.
The investigation quickly became one of Lexington’s biggest public safety stories of the year. The next major development came the following day, when police announced an arrest.
An 18-Year-Old Suspect is Charged
Police identified Jametrius M. Griffin as the suspect, but many details about the case remain unknown.
Griffin was arrested on August 16 and charged with murder, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, and tampering with physical evidence.
The charges are allegations, and Griffin pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance on August 17. He appeared remotely in Fayette District Court, where his public defender waived formal arraignment and entered the plea on his behalf.
A judge set Griffin’s bond at $1 million, and his next preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 2.
While the arrest marked a significant step, investigators have not publicly explained what they believe led to the shooting. Police have not confirmed whether Griffin knew the victims, whether the shooting was targeted, or what specific evidence led to the charges.
Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said there was no indication the shooting was random, but officials have not released additional details about what may have happened before the gunfire.
Officials Ask Lexington Residents to Speak Up
City leaders are asking residents to share information as the investigation continues.
After the shooting, Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers encouraged people with knowledge of possible violence to contact authorities.
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“If you know of somebody who might be inclined to use a weapon, please let us know,” Weathers said.
Mayor Linda Gorton also urged residents to remain connected and aware following the violence. “Take care of each other. If you see something you think is wrong … speak up. Say something,” Gorton said.
ONE Lexington Director Devine Carama also discussed support efforts for people affected by the shooting.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office identified Robertson as the teenager who died. Local reporting confirmed that he was a student at Success Academy and had previously attended Bryan Station High School.
The Arrest Brings Attention to Earlier Lexington Shootings
The latest investigation comes as Lexington continues dealing with questions surrounding several previous mass shootings.
According to a WKYT review of Lexington police crime data, the Charles Young Park shooting was Lexington’s fifth mass shooting since 2021. The review reported that the four previous cases remained unresolved at the time of publication.
Those cases included a 2021 shooting on East Fifth Street, a 2022 shooting in the La Salle Road area, a 2022 shooting near Legends Lane, and a 2024 shooting on National Avenue.
Authorities have not announced any connection between those cases and the Charles Young Park shooting. Each investigation involves its own circumstances, and the available information does not establish a shared motive, suspect, or cause.
Questions Remain About the Investigation
The arrest answered one major question, but several important details remain private.
One issue involves the circumstances surrounding Griffin’s arrest. His attorney, Daniel Whitley, told LEX 18 that Griffin turned himself in after his family contacted police to arrange the process.
Authorities have not publicly released additional details explaining how Griffin came into custody.
Another unanswered question involves the charge of tampering with physical evidence. Public reports confirm the charge, but investigators have not explained what evidence they believe was involved.
The investigation has also not publicly established what happened immediately before the shooting or what investigators believe led to the violence.
A Case That Now Moves Beyond the Headlines
The arrest marks a major step, but the case is far from finished.
The Charles Young Park shooting began as a community gathering and quickly became a criminal investigation involving a teenage victim, four injured people, and an 18-year-old suspect facing serious charges.
For Lexington, the case now moves into the court system while questions remain about the evidence, the events leading up to the shooting, and what investigators will reveal next.
The September 2 hearing will be the next major step, but the broader conversation about public safety and unresolved violence in the city will likely continue long after the courtroom proceedings begin.
How many more shootings will it take for Lexington to change?
