LOUISVILLE, KY — A tragic act of gun violence has left a Louisville family grieving the loss of 28-year-old Jermia Offutt and her unborn child after a shooting Wednesday night near the city’s Chickasaw neighborhood.
According to the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), officers were called to the 4100 block of West Broadway, near Cecil Avenue, around 9 p.m. on reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they found a woman suffering from gunshot wounds.
LMPD spokesperson Dwight Mitchell said the victim was rushed to the University of Louisville Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as Jermia Offutt. Officials later confirmed she was four months pregnant at the time of her death.
A Family’s Double Loss
Loved ones say Offutt was a devoted mother and was eagerly preparing to welcome her new baby in early 2026. The news that her unborn child also died has deepened the heartbreak for her family and friends.
“This is a loss we can’t even put into words,” a family member shared on social media. “She had so much love to give, and her children were her world. Now, two lives are gone in an instant.”
The Chickasaw neighborhood — a tight-knit community on Louisville’s West End — has been shaken by the tragedy. Residents have expressed outrage and sorrow, calling for an end to the escalating gun violence in the area.
Investigation Ongoing
The LMPD Homicide Unit is leading the investigation. At this time, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and homes in hopes of gathering evidence. Detectives are also conducting interviews with potential witnesses who may have been in the area during the time of the shooting.
Authorities stressed that community cooperation will be vital in finding those responsible.
Call for Public Assistance
Police are urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to the LMPD Crime Tip Line at 502-574-LMPD (5673).
“Somebody knows something,” Mitchell said. “If you saw something or heard something, please speak up. Help us get justice for Jermia and her unborn child.”
A Pattern of Violence
The incident adds to a troubling trend of gun-related homicides in Louisville this year. Community leaders have repeatedly called for stronger violence prevention programs, more resources for at-risk youth, and improved cooperation between law enforcement and residents.
Local advocacy groups are organizing a vigil in Jermia’s memory, which will also serve as a call to action against gun violence. Friends say she will be remembered as a caring, family-oriented woman whose life was cut short far too soon.
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