15-Year-Old Girl Accidentally Shoots and Kills Friend Katen Atwell in Lowe’s Parking Lot

A fatal shooting involving two teenage girls and a 21-year-old man has shaken the community of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, after police said a 15-year-old girl accidentally shot and killed her friend, Katen Atwell, during an alcohol-fueled meeting in a Lowe’s parking lot. Authorities say the incident occurred in the early hours of January 11 and followed an online connection made through Snapchat. The case has raised serious legal questions and underscored the consequences of underage drinking, firearm access, and online interactions between minors and adults.

According to Elizabethtown Police Department, officers were dispatched to the Lowe’s parking lot around 2:30 a.m. following a report of gunshots. When they arrived, they found 21-year-old Bryan Harbison attempting CPR on Atwell, who had suffered a gunshot wound while sitting inside a vehicle. Emergency responders rushed the teen to Baptist Health Hardin, where she was later pronounced dead. The shooter, Atwell’s 15-year-old friend, was taken into custody. Because of her age, authorities have not released her name.

Police investigations indicate that the meeting involved alcohol and a firearm belonging to Harbison, who owned the vehicle in which the shooting occurred. While officials continue to review evidence and statements, charges have already been filed against both the teenage shooter and Harbison in connection with the incident.

Online Connection, Alcohol, and Events Leading Up to the Shooting

Investigators say Bryan Harbison connected with the two 15-year-old girls through Snapchat. Harbison told police that he believed the girls were 18 years old at the time of their online interactions. Authorities have not confirmed whether the girls misrepresented their ages or whether Harbison took steps to verify that information. What is clear, according to police, is that the online communication eventually led to an in-person meeting.

Harbison allegedly told investigators that he purchased alcohol before picking up the girls and driving them to a Lowe’s parking lot in Elizabethtown, located roughly 45 miles south of Louisville. Police said the trio remained there drinking inside Harbison’s vehicle during the early morning hours.

Accounts of what happened inside the vehicle differ. According to police statements, Harbison told officers that he was sitting in the back seat with Katen Atwell, while the other teen was seated in the front passenger seat. At some point, the front-seat passenger discovered a handgun inside the vehicle. Police said the teen later admitted she picked up the firearm, pointed it at Atwell, and pulled the trigger, believing the gun to be unloaded based on what Harbison had told her.

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Harbison, however, provided a different account to investigators. He claimed that the firearm was secured in the glove compartment and that the teen removed it without his knowledge. Authorities have not publicly disclosed whether the gun was legally owned, how it was stored prior to the incident, or whether it was loaded at the time. These details are expected to be central to the ongoing investigation and court proceedings.

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Police have confirmed that alcohol consumption played a role in the events of that night. Investigators believe impairment may have contributed to poor judgment and the handling of the firearm, though toxicology results and further evidence have not yet been released.

Police Response, Charges, and Conflicting Statements

When officers arrived at the scene shortly after 2:30 a.m., they found a chaotic situation unfolding in the parking lot. According to police, Harbison was performing CPR on Atwell when first responders took over. Despite efforts to save her life, the 15-year-old succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

The teenage girl who fired the gun was taken into custody and later charged with murder. Due to juvenile justice laws, authorities have not released further details about her detention or whether she will be tried as a juvenile or an adult. Officials have also declined to comment on her legal representation or any potential plea considerations at this stage.

Harbison has been charged with third-degree unlawful transaction with a minor and first-degree wanton endangerment. The unlawful transaction charge relates to allegations that he provided alcohol to minors, while the wanton endangerment charge stems from the presence and handling of a firearm under dangerous circumstances. Court records indicate that Harbison is being held in the Hardin County Jail as the case proceeds.

Elizabethtown Police Public Affairs Officer Chris Denham described the incident as deeply tragic, emphasizing the far-reaching consequences for everyone involved. He said the department’s thoughts were with the families affected and acknowledged the devastating impact of losing a child at such a young age. Police have stated that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional charges could be filed depending on the outcome of forensic analysis and witness interviews.

Authorities have not publicly addressed whether surveillance footage from the parking lot exists or whether digital evidence from phones and social media accounts is being examined. Law enforcement officials have confirmed, however, that online communications between Harbison and the teens are part of the investigation.

Community Reaction, School Response, and Family Tributes

News of Katen Atwell’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief across Hardin County, particularly within the local school community. Hardin County Schools confirmed Atwell’s passing in a statement posted to Facebook, noting that she was enrolled in the district’s Virtual School program and had previously attended Heartland Elementary School and Bluegrass Middle School.

In its statement, the district said that Atwell’s teachers remembered her for her dedication and personal growth. School officials expressed condolences to her family and asked the community to respect their privacy during the grieving process. The district also announced that counselors would be available to students and staff for as long as necessary to help them cope with the loss.

Family members have since created a GoFundMe campaign to honor Atwell’s memory and help cover funeral and cremation expenses. The fundraiser was organized by Lena Milburn, who identified herself as Atwell’s sister. In an emotional message, Milburn described the family as “shattered” by the sudden loss and spoke of the void left by Atwell’s death.

The fundraiser’s description portrays Atwell as a young girl with her life ahead of her, remembered by loved ones as a beautiful soul whose absence has left the family struggling to adjust. The post also highlighted the unexpected financial burden faced by the family in the wake of her death and asked for community support during an extraordinarily painful time.

As the legal process moves forward, the case continues to draw attention to the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the role of alcohol, firearm access, and online interactions between minors and adults. Law enforcement officials have reiterated that the investigation is active and that all available evidence will be reviewed to determine accountability.

Court proceedings for both the teenage suspect and Bryan Harbison are expected to continue in the coming weeks. Until then, Katen Atwell’s death remains a stark and tragic reminder of how quickly a series of decisions can culminate in irreversible loss, leaving families, schools, and an entire community grappling with grief and unanswered questions.