Laurel County Sheriff’s Detectives say the bullet that struck and killed Kevin McElrath Thursday morning when his gun accidentally discharged, passed through him and struck 22-year-old Eric Partain of Williamsburg.
According to Laurel County Sheriff John Root, Partain also died yesterday after being trasported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment.
The shooting occurred about 2:15 a.m. at a home on Sally’s Branch Road, about one mile east of London.
According to witness statements to detectives, several friends had gathered at the residence when McElrath, 25, of Lodnon removed a clip from a .45 caliber handgun. At some point during the process, the gun discharged, hitting McElrath and Partain in the head.
McElrath, whom deputies found laying on the floor in the kitchen area, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Partain was taken by ambulance to the London/Corbin Airport and then airlifted to UK.
Laurel County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Tommy Johnston is leading the investigation. He was assisted at the scene by detectives Charlie Loomis and Daryl Zanet and Deputy Brett Reeves and London Police Officer Ryan Jackson.
