On Wednesday September 27, 2023 at 5:49PM, Graves County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a reported shooting at a residence located at 940 Hopkins Cemetery Road which is located in southern Graves County between the Wingo and Water Valley areas.
The call was dispatched stating that a male had shot a female and that the female was deceased. The first sheriff’s deputy arrived on scene within 2 minutes of the call being dispatched. The deceased female was in fact located outside the home in the yard with an apparent shotgun wound. She has been identified as being 56-year-old Mariah Warren.
Additional sheriff’s units, Kentucky State Police, Mayfield – Graves County EMS arrived, and then additionally the Graves County Coroner.
Numerous witnesses were interviewed at the scene, along with the person identified as being the shooter, a 15-year-old juvenile. The firearm used in the shooting was also recovered. Interviews continued with involved person(s) at the Graves County Sheriff’s Office into the evening.
The 15-year-old juvenile in statements to investigators stated that the woman whom he knew and was a neighbor was on the property and was not welcome and was told to leave. When Warren refused, the JV went and retrieved a shotgun, loaded it, and pointed it at Warren outside in the yard of the residence. As Warren again refused to leave, the juvenile stated that he shot the victim unintentionally. There was no evidence found that indicated that any calls were made to authorities until after the shooting. The juvenile also stated that the victim had previously attempted to enter the rear of the residence. It was also learned that attempts were made by the juvenile to hide the firearm prior to calling 911.
After consultation with both the Graves County Attorney and the Graves County Commonwealth Attorney, the juvenile was charged with Murder and Tampering with Physical Evidence. The juvenile suspect was transported late Wednesday night to a juvenile detention center.
An autopsy was performed this morning September 28, 2023 by the Kentucky State Medical Examiner.
The investigation is continuing.
Laws prohibit the release of juvenile’s names after being charged with criminal offenses.
End of Release
Sheriff Jon Hayden
