McCracken County Sheriff’s Office makes arrest in weekend shooting

McCracken County Sheriff’s deputies have made an arrest in a weekend shooting on Magruder Road near Kevil.

About 6:39 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 15 police discovered a woman with multiple gunshot wounds at her home on Michelle Court in Kevil. The victim, who survived the attack, told deputies she had awakened to find a man she did not know in her home. He asked for Tylenol, went to the bathroom and then allegedly shot the victim, according to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department.

Other incidents of shots fired into homes and alleged burglaries were reported in the area that night.

The crime scenes involved a relatively large area as the suspect had allegedly shot into at least two homes on Magruder Road, rummaged through some vehicles in that area and broke into at least two homes, all within about a five-hour period. Numerous items of evidence were seized that included shell casings, fingerprint and blood evidence and witness statements. Police released a composite sketch of the alleged suspect and circulated it among local media outlets.

“Area residents have been understandably frightened at what had occurred in the relatively quiet and rural area,” McCracken County Sheriff Jon Hayden said in a media release. “Sheriff’s deputies have been assigned since the Sunday morning shooting to that immediate area to provide extra patrols and an increased level of visibility.”

Several items of evidence from the crime scenes were submitted to the Kentucky State Police Crime Lab. Fingerprints that were believed to have been left behind by the suspect were also submitted.

Detectives went to a residence at 3925 Magruder Road Thursday morning as a follow-up to previously performed neighborhood canvasses. Deputies say they had previously attempted contact at the home multiple times, but no one would come to the door. This morning, police made contact with the homeowner.

Sheriff’s detectives detected an odor of marijuana at the home; the homeowner consented for police to enter the residence. According to MCSO, police discovered ammunition with the same brand name as that used by the alleged shooter, as well as marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Deputies also discovered a man, later identified as 20-year-old Forrest S. Spencer of Kevil, who matched the description of the alleged shooter at the home.

Police obtained a search warrant for items related to the illicit drugs and the home invasions and burglaries, according to MCSO. U.S. Marshals arrived on scene to assist in the search.

Spencer was fingerprinted at the scene; those prints were sent electronically to the Kentucky State Police crime lab in Frankfort and compared to those collected from the crime scene. Results of the comparison matched Spencer’s fingerprints to those collected at the scene, according to MCSO. The victim, who remains hospitalized, also picked Spencer from a photo lineup, police said.

Spencer was taken to the McCracken County Sheriff’s Department, where during an interview with police he reportedly admitted to shooting a woman in her home three times during the weekend, as well as shooting into several other homes in that same area, according to MCSO. Spencer also allegedly admitted to breaking into homes in the area.

Further investigation revealed a 9 millimeter semi-automatic handgun and ammunition reported stolen during a residential burglary on Aug. 29 on Magruder Road at Spencer’s residence as well.

Spencer was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and one count of first-degree assault. He was taken to the McCracken County Regional Jail.

Spencer had previously lived in Kansas and moved to the Kevil area about four months ago, police said. His family told detectives that he suffers from schizophrenia and hasn’t been taking his medication. When asked why he allegedly committed these offenses, Spencer reportedly said that he had been hearing voices. Police said Spencer also said he was angry that he was not famous as a possible motive.

MCSO was assisted in its investigation buy the KSP crime lab, KSP intelligence center, Paducah Police Department, Louisville Metro Police Department Crime Scene Unit sketch artist, U.S. Marshals and other area agencies.