4 dead in shooting at house in Florence, Kentucky, suspect dead

FLORENCE, Kentucky (AP) — Four people were killed and three others injured in a shooting early Saturday during a party at a northern Kentucky home, police said.

The suspect later died after fleeing the house and sending police on a chase that ended with his car crashing into a ditch, police said.

When police arrived at a home in Florence around 2:50 a.m., they heard gunshots, said Jeff Mallery, the city’s police chief. Police found seven gunshot victims in the home, Mallery told media during a news conference.

Four people were found dead, police said. Three people were taken to a Cincinnati hospital in critical condition. They are expected to recover, Mallery said.

The suspect led police on a chase that ended when his vehicle went off the road and into a ditch. The suspect sustained a gunshot wound and died at the hospital, police said.

According to police, the suspect acted alone and there is no ongoing danger to the public.

People had gathered at the house to celebrate the homeowner’s 21-year-old son’s birthday, Mallery said. The homeowner died in the shooting, the police chief said. It appeared the 20-year-old suspect knew people at the party, but he was not invited, Mallery said.

A motive was investigated.

“I know what’s going on across the country, but this is the first time we’ve had a mass shooting in Florence,” Mallery said. “Yes, it’s very emotional. My feelings go out to the victims, their families, the police officers who responded, everyone who was affected by this situation.”

Florence is located about 12 miles (19 kilometers) south of Cincinnati, Ohio.