Five lives were tragically lost, including that of the suspect, and three others were injured following a shooting at a birthday party early Saturday morning in northern Kentucky.

The harrowing incident unfolded around 3 a.m. in Florence, Kentucky, prompting numerous emergency calls reporting an active shooter at a residential address. Responding swiftly, officers arrived to find shots still being fired, as described by Florence Police Chief Jeff Mallery during a press conference later that day.

Upon reaching the residence, officers found two victims outside, and sadly, four victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Three others were swiftly transported to a local hospital, where they are currently in stable condition with hopes for a full recovery, according to law enforcement.

"This is an unprecedented event for our community. While mass shootings have occurred elsewhere, this is the first time such a tragedy has struck Florence," Chief Mallery stated, visibly moved by the events. "The impact is profound."

The victims of this senseless violence have been identified as 19-year-old Delaney Eary, 20-year-old Shane Miller, 20-year-old Hayden Rybicki, and 44-year-old Melissa Parrett. The shooter responsible for this heinous act was identified as 21-year-old Chase Garvey.

The tragic shooting transpired during a birthday celebration for Melissa Parrett's 21-year-old son. Chief Mallery noted that attendees recognized the shooter, though he was not formally invited. There appears to have been a prior relationship between Garvey and the victims, but the exact motive remains under investigation.

"I don't believe he was invited to the party, but there is a relationship there," Chief Mallery commented, indicating initial findings suggest Garvey arrived uninvited.

After the shooting, Garvey fled the scene in a vehicle. Police attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but Garvey evaded them, leading to a pursuit. Chief Mallery recounted that Garvey reportedly sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound while driving, causing him to lose control and crash into a ditch.

Law enforcement found Garvey in the vehicle with a fatal self-inflicted injury. He was then transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to authorities.

Preliminary investigations conducted by the Florence Police Department suggest Garvey acted alone in carrying out the shooting spree. The Boone County Sheriff’s Office collaborated with Florence officers in responding to the incident, confirming they are not conducting a separate investigation.

Florence, located approximately 12 miles southwest of Cincinnati, Ohio, now faces the aftermath of this tragic event. The impact of the shooting has reverberated throughout the neighborhood, prompting an outpouring of support and condolences for the victims and their families.

Authorities continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the shooting, striving to unearth additional details that may illuminate the motive behind this senseless act of violence. The community is urged to unite in solidarity during this challenging time, offering unwavering support to those affected by the tragedy and reaffirming a collective commitment to safety and unity in the face of such an irreparable loss.