In the early morning hours of August 2, 2025, a violent encounter outside the Northside Branch of the Lexington Public Library left two men dead. One of the victims was 52-year-old Edward Van Bert Parker, a resident of Lexington. The Fayette County Coroner's Office confirmed that Parker died from gunshot wounds sustained in the incident, which unfolded around 3:20 a.m. on Russell Cave Road.
A second individual, 71-year-old Ashim Heanacho, was also killed in the shooting.
Police were called to the scene and discovered the two men deceased. An arrest was made at the location. Deborah Weiss, 69, was taken into custody and has since been charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Parker and Heanacho. According to her arrest citation, Weiss admitted to shooting both men. She was subsequently booked into the Fayette County Detention Center, where she is being held on a $1 million bond.
Edward Van Bert Parker was born on June 15, 1973, in Frederick, Maryland. He later made his home in Lexington and was a graduate of Henry Clay High School. An obituary describes him as a devoted father and grandfather, known for his determination and fearless heart. At the age of 18, he embraced the teachings of the Nation of Islam, a faith that became a guiding principle in his life. His death marked the 14th homicide in the city for the year.
