Crime
19-year-old Julissa Lovick killed in Park Hill neighborhood shooting, suspect Joshua Miller charged with murder
According to the footage, Miller stated: “If they ask you, I wasn’t sorry for it. I was trying to kill that b**h.”*
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A 36-year-old man has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Julissa Valavia Lovick on Cypress Street in Louisville’s Park Hill neighborhood, according to the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD).
The shooting occurred on Sunday, January 7, at approximately 1:17 p.m. LMPD officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 1300 block of Cypress Street.
Upon arrival, they discovered Lovick lying on the sidewalk, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency Medical Services transported her to the University of Louisville Hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.
According to initial reports, Lovick and her cousin met with the cousin’s ex-boyfriend, identified as 36-year-old Joshua Miller, to retrieve personal belongings. Miller reportedly gave the pair a ride back to Cypress Street.
Upon arrival, Lovick’s cousin stated that as she was entering the home, she saw Miller fire multiple rounds at Lovick before fleeing the scene.
However, Lovick’s mother, Nichole Evans, disputed the reported relationship between Lovick and Miller. Speaking to Channel 2 NOW, Evans clarified:
“The victim is my daughter, and no, he is not her ex-boyfriend. She had no relationship with him. She was simply in the middle of her cousin’s domestic violence situation.”
Before succumbing to her injuries, Lovick identified Miller as the shooter. She provided officers with his full name, age, and address.
At approximately 3 p.m., Miller returned to the scene armed with a handgun and fired at officers in an alley behind the residence. A brief foot pursuit ensued, during which officers shot Miller at least once.
He was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital and is expected to survive his injuries.
No officers or bystanders were injured during the confrontation.
While being transported to the hospital, Miller allegedly made an incriminating statement captured on an officer’s body-worn camera. According to the footage, Miller stated:
“If they ask you, I wasn’t sorry for it. I was trying to kill that b**h.”*
In addition to the murder charge, Miller will face multiple charges for firing at LMPD officers.
The investigation into the incident remains active. LMPD has not released further details at this time.
MOBILE, AL – A man charged in connection with a fatal shooting outside an Alabama bar is claiming self-defense, as new details emerged during a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
On February 1, officers from the Mobile Police Department responded to a reported shooting at the Alabama Bar & Lounge.
Upon arrival, authorities discovered that Hunter Lins and another man had been shot following an altercation outside the establishment.
Lins was transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The second victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, survived.
Matthew Sanders was subsequently arrested and charged with murder and first-degree assault in connection with the incident.
During Tuesday’s preliminary hearing, Sanders’ attorney, Jeff Deen, argued that his client acted in self-defense after being attacked. Deen claimed that surveillance footage supports this assertion, showing Sanders being “jumped on” before the shooting.
However, Lins’ stepsister, Kelsie Harvell, refuted that claim, asserting that the shooting was not an act of self-defense and could have been entirely avoided.
A homicide detective testified that multiple witnesses reported an argument between Sanders and Lins inside the bar near the pool table.
- A bartender allegedly instructed only Sanders to leave the bar.
- Lins followed him outside, reportedly to apologize.
- Once outside, a physical altercation ensued between Sanders and Lins, with Lins’ brother, known as “Rusty,” also getting involved.
- According to Rusty, he attempted to break up the fight, but Sanders retrieved a firearm from his vehicle and opened fire.
Deen countered this narrative, claiming that Sanders was attacked by the two brothers and was defending himself.
“He got jumped on at a bar. He left when he was told to, but then a crowd followed him outside and continued the fight,” Deen said. “I’m sorry someone got shot, but he brought it on himself.”
During testimony, the detective noted that Lins had a beer bottle during the altercation but discarded it before being shot, leaving him unarmed and defenseless.
Harvell questioned Sanders’ justification for self-defense, stating, “If he was able to open his car door to grab a gun and shoot two people, why wasn’t he able to get in the car and leave?”
Additionally, the District Attorney’s Office revealed that after the shooting, Sanders allegedly posted a video on Snapchat waving a gun and saying, “I told y’all to leave me alone… and to quit playing with me.”
Investigators later confirmed that the firearm seen in the video was the same weapon recovered at the crime scene.
During the hearing, Sanders’ defense requested a bond reduction, which was denied by the judge. He remains incarcerated at Metro Jail with a $250,000 bond.
The case is now moving to a grand jury for further review.