In the quiet town of Berea, Kentucky, a life was tragically cut short on what should have been a day of celebration. Thomas Rison, a 42-year-old male, was shot and killed on the evening of his birthday, Monday, February 3, 2025. The fatal encounter unfolded on Baldwin Street, where a report of shots fired brought police to the scene around 8:20 p.m. Upon their arrival, they found Rison suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into Rison's death quickly pointed to a suspect: 75-year-old Steven Gerlaugh. An eyewitness at the scene identified Gerlaugh as the shooter, a claim that was substantiated by surveillance footage that captured the entire incident. The video showed Gerlaugh sitting in his vehicle while Rison stood by the driver's side window. A muzzle flash is then visible in the footage, followed by Rison retreating from the car and collapsing. After the shooting, Gerlaugh fled the scene in his vehicle, prompting a search by law enforcement who considered him to be armed and dangerous.
The manhunt for Gerlaugh was swift. A Garrard County sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle, leading to his arrest. Gerlaugh was subsequently charged with murder and booked into the Madison County Detention Center. During his arraignment, he entered a plea of not guilty. A judge set his bond at $200,000, and he awaits further legal proceedings for his alleged role in the death of Thomas Rison.
