BY WKC STAFF

The parish community of St. Lawrence and St. William in the Knottsville area was saddened by a tragic shooting that took place on St. Lawrence’s church property just after midnight on March 7, 2026. The shooting resulted in the death of a young person and injuries to another.

In response to the incident, Bishop William F. Medley stated that he was offering his prayers for the victim, the injured, and the shooter, who is now in custody.

“May the Lord bring comfort to the family who lost their loved one, and to the families who have to endure the aftermath of this tragedy. Let us all pray for peace in our community,” said the bishop in a statement.

The Diocese of Owensboro stated that the gathering on the parish grounds was not “organized, approved, or permitted by the parish or its leadership,” and that security footage shows a group of people trespassing by breaking open a gate and holding a bonfire.

According to the statement, reports indicate that an invitation to this gathering had circulated on social media without the knowledge or permission of the parish administration.

“The church property is private and is intended for worship, prayer, and approved parish activities,” the diocese stated. “As the community mourns this tragic occurrence, we are grateful for the response of our local law enforcement. We are continuing to cooperate with authorities fully as they work on the investigation.”

The statement added that “At this difficult time, we request that the public allow the authorities to conduct a proper investigation. Anyone who has information pertaining to this incident is asked to report it directly to civil authorities. We also ask everyone to respect the sanctity of church property and refrain from using it for unauthorized activities.”

Originally printed in the April 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.