- James Priddy, 21, fatally shot his girlfriend Jadeance Hale, 18, and her friend Lila Asher, 19, before taking his own life.
- The incident began with a domestic violence call, leading to a police chase lasting over 30 minutes.
- Hale was attempting to end her relationship with Priddy, who was reportedly violating that boundary when the violence occurred.
LAUREL COUNTY, KENTUCKY — Weeks after two US Bank employees were fatally shot during a robbery in Kentucky, another Kentucky case has ended in tragedy. This time, police say a man killed his girlfriend and her friend before taking his own life after a chase that started with a domestic violence call.
The victims were identified as 18-year-old Jadeance Hale and 19-year-old Lila Asher. Authorities believe 21-year-old James Priddy shot both women before killing himself.
Woman Was Trying to Leave Relationship
Police said Hale had planned to end her relationship with Priddy.
Asher was with Hale because she wanted support during the breakup. Authorities said the three had left a Barbourville home, reportedly to get something to eat, before family members became concerned.
According to dispatch audio, a caller told 911 that Hale had been trying to leave Priddy all day and that he had taken off with her.
Police Chase Begins
The Barbourville Police Department later contacted the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office and said officers were following a red Chevrolet Cobalt connected to a possible domestic violence complaint.
Police said the driver failed to stop.
The chase continued from Knox County into Laurel County and lasted more than 30 minutes.
Barbourville Police Chief Adam Townsley said an officer was nearly struck head-on by the vehicle during the pursuit.
Vehicle Stops After Crash
Authorities tried to box in the Chevy during the chase.
The vehicle eventually struck another vehicle and stopped on Kentucky Route 312 in Laurel County.
When deputies went to check the occupants, they found Hale, Asher, and Priddy dead inside.
Officials said all three had gunshot wounds.
Police Believe Man Shot Both Women
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said all indications point to Priddy shooting and killing Hale and Asher before shooting himself.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities were also concerned at one point that a 5-month-old baby might have been in the vehicle, but officials later confirmed the baby was not with them.
Families Remember Victims
A GoFundMe for Hale and Asher described them as two vibrant young women whose lives were cut short.
The fundraiser said their families and friends were left in shock and struggling to move forward.
Loved ones said the two women shared a close bond and that their families planned to honor that bond by holding their funerals side by side.
The case remains under investigation as authorities continue reviewing the chase, the domestic violence call, and what happened before the deadly shooting.
To view more cases involving domestic violence, police chases, and tragic relationship disputes, check out our video here:
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