A Ky. Mom Hosted a 21st Birthday Party for Her Son. She Was 1 of 4 People Killed in Mass Shooting

Four people were killed and three were injured after a mass shooting took place at a 21st birthday party in Florence, Ky., police say.

According to CNN, CBS News and USA Today, which cite police, the shooting took place at a Florence residence in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 6.

Speaking at a press conference, per USA Today, Florence Police Chief Jeff Mallery said police were called to a residence at 2:50 a.m..

“When officers arrived, they still heard shots being fired and they approached the residence,” Mallery said. “When they got to the residence they saw multiple victims and once they got into the residence the partygoers told them that the suspect had fled and gave a vehicle description.”

The vehicle was then located by law enforcement, but the suspect fled when officers tried to stop the vehicle.

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Following a chase, Mallery said police believe the suspect — identified as 21-year-old Chase Garvey — shot himself, after which his vehicle crashed. After being taken to the hospital, Garvey died from his injuries.

Mallery said the three injured victims "are all stable and will make a full recovery."

The names of the deceased victims are Shane Miller, 20, of Florence; Hayden Rybicki, 20, of Elsmere; Delaney Eary, 19, of Burlington and Melissa Parrett, 44, of Florence.  

Parrett was the owner of the home and was hosting the 21st birthday party for her son.  

Mallery added that the shooter “was known to the partygoers” but believes he was not invited.

Garvey was a convicted felon, according to Mallery.

The Courier Journal reports that in 2021, Garvey, then 18, was charged with raping a 13-year-old girl. In April 2023, he pleaded guilty to second-degree unlawful transaction with a minor and received five years probation.

“This is the first time that we’ve had a mass shooting in Florence, so it is very emotional,” Mallery said. “My emotions are for the victims, the families, the officers that responded and everybody that was touched by this situation.”