16-year-old identified as person killed in Lexington mass shooting

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - UPDATE (8/16/2026 at 2:15p.m.): The Fayette County Coroner’s Office has identified the one person killed in Saturday’s mass shooting as 16-year-old Di’Zhon Robertson.

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One person was killed and four others were injured in a mass shooting Saturday evening in the 200 block of Midland Ave., according to Lexington Police.

What we know

Police said officers responded to the scene at approximately 6:48 p.m. Five victims were located and transported to a local hospital. Four victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries. One victim was declared deceased at the hospital.

Police said the investigation is active and no further details are available. Detectives are asking anyone with information to call Lexington Police at [(859) 258-3600](tel:(859) 258-3600). Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling [(859) 253-2020](tel:(859) 253-2020) or online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com .

Witness account

Devine Carama, director of ONE Lexington — the Mayor’s youth gun violence reduction program — said in a social media post that the person killed was a participant in ONE Lexington’s summer program.

Carama, who said he was present at the park during the shooting, said a person standing approximately 8 inches from him was shot. He said he was attempting to keep four young people covered and safe during the shooting.

“Opening fire into a crowd at a peaceful event, in broad daylight, with women and children present is unacceptable,” Carama said.

Carama said two retired Lexington firefighters — LV Hayden, a retired battalion chief, and Greg Gerton — performed CPR on shooting victims before emergency responders arrived.

“This is not normal,” Carama said. “We come together every year as a family and kick it on the Eastside and we haven’t had something like this happen, EVER.”

Governor responds

Gov. Andy Beshear addressed the shooting Saturday evening while speaking at the Kentucky Democratic Party’s dinner in downtown Lexington, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

Beshear stopped early during his remarks to break the news to those in attendance.

“About a mile and a half from here, we’ve had a shooting actually since we started this dinner,” Beshear said. “We have five people that I think received injuries and probably have one deceased.”

The Herald-Leader reports Beshear asked those in attendance to keep the families of those affected in their prayers.

Community response

The City of Lexington issued an emergency mobilization plan declaring a police staffing emergency at 7:24 p.m. All Third Shift officers were instructed to report for duty.

First District Council Member Tyler Morton and former First District Council Members James Brown and Chris Ford were on scene following the shooting, according to Carama’s post.

Morton posted a video from Charles Young Park earlier today from the “East End Day” event.

Carama said he is organizing a mental health and trauma support space for those affected by the shooting, planned for early next week. Trauma and mental health specialists interested in helping can contact him at dcarama@lexingtonky.gov .

Officials react

Lexington mayor Linda Gorton released a statement Sunday morning:

“Our community is coming together to pray for those who were wounded yesterday, and for the young man we lost and his family and friends. I have been in communication with Chief Weathers and he is committed to solving this crime as quickly as possible. Several of our Councilmembers and members of our One Lexington team were in the park. We are more determined than ever to protect our young people, and to help them turn away from violence. Through One Lexington, we are organizing a trauma support event, and will announce details soon.”

In a statement obtained by WKYT, Lexington First District Councilmember Tyler Morton said “I am heartbroken. I am angry. I am frustrated. And, quite honestly, I am disappointed. There are moments when words simply do not feel like enough.”

Morton ended his statement by saying “we will continue fighting for a safer, stronger, and healthier community.”

Congressman Andy Barr reacted to the shooting on social media, saying “My heart is with the victims, their families, and everyone in the Lexington community last night following the shooting at Charles Young Park.”

This is a developing story.