Tragedy on Floyd Drive: 80-Year-Old Gunman Takes Two Lives, Including 11-Year-Old Ashly Turner
FLOYD COUNTY, KY — A quiet Wednesday night shattered into horror when 80-year-old Reuben Arthur Leonard walked into a home on Floyd Drive and opened fire, unleashing a tragedy that has left a community grieving and struggling for answers.
Among the victims was 11-year-old Ashly Turner, a vibrant young girl with a bright smile and her whole life ahead of her. She was struck multiple times during the shooting. Despite a swift response from deputies, Ashly succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Family members and neighbors watched in anguish as law enforcement attempted to save her, their efforts ultimately unable to undo the irreversible damage inflicted in mere minutes.
As officers subdued and handcuffed Leonard, the elderly man muttered a chilling statement: “Check on my wife—I shot her too.” Deputies rushed to the couple’s nearby residence, where they found his wife fatally wounded. Her name has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
Authorities are still piecing together what led Leonard to commit such unthinkable acts. Initial reports suggest no prior criminal history or known history of violence, but investigators are looking into mental health concerns, possible domestic issues, and whether Leonard legally owned the firearm used in the shootings.
The motive remains unclear.
The shocking nature of the crime—a man in his 80s committing a double shooting, including a child—has left even seasoned officers stunned. “This is one of the most heartbreaking and perplexing cases we’ve seen,” said one deputy who responded to the scene. “Two innocent lives were taken. A child… it’s just unimaginable.”
Ashly Turner was described by her teachers as a “ray of light” in the classroom, a kind soul who loved reading, dancing, and playing with her friends. Her loss is being mourned not only by her immediate family but also by her school community, who are grappling with the trauma of losing a classmate to senseless violence.
The local school district has mobilized crisis counselors to support grieving students and staff. A memorial of flowers, stuffed animals, and hand-written notes now rests near the home on Floyd Drive, a visual expression of sorrow from neighbors and strangers alike.
The family of Ashly Turner released a short statement through a community liaison:
“Ashly was pure love and laughter. She deserved a life full of dreams, not to be taken by a nightmare. We are broken, and we ask for privacy as we try to understand how to live in a world without her.”
Reuben Arthur Leonard is currently in custody and facing multiple charges, including two counts of murder, with more potentially pending as the investigation continues. Prosecutors are expected to determine next steps in the coming days, including whether Leonard will undergo a mental competency evaluation before formal proceedings begin.
As the community mourns, many are left asking the same questions—how did this happen? Could it have been prevented? And why were innocent lives caught in the crossfire of such unimaginable violence?
In the days ahead, vigils are being planned in Ashly’s memory, and neighbors are rallying around her family to offer support and comfort in the wake of an unspeakable loss.
Two lives gone. In minutes. Our hearts break for the families left behind, especially for the loved ones of Ashly Turner—a child whose light was stolen too soon. May she rest in peace, and may justice and healing follow in the wake of this tragedy.