Updated: Coroner corrects victim’s identity in Lexington homicide. Suspect fled scene
One person was killed in a shooting Sunday evening, according to the Lexington Police Department.
The shooting happened at 9:16 p.m. in the 200 block of Race Street, according to police. Officers were responding to a report of shots fired. When they arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound.
The man was declared dead on scene, according to police. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim as 47-year-old Esaud Cortes. He was declared dead at 10:09 p.m.
The coroner’s office originally said the victim’s name was Samuel Lopez. However, it was later determined that a member of the victim’s household provided the coroner’s office with an alias name. The coroner’s office said the victim’s son provided Cortes’ actual name.
The suspect fled the scene before officers arrived, police said.
Detectives from the Personal Crimes Section are investigating the shooting as a homicide. Anyone with information about this case can call Lexington police at (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020, online at www.bluegrasscrimestoppers.com, or through the P3 tips app available at www.p3tips.com.
It’s the 22nd homicide in Lexington this year and the first in over two weeks. At this point last year, the city had reported 37 homicides, according to police data.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
This story was originally published October 16, 2023 at 6:59 AM.
