On the first day of the new year, January 1, 2026, a burst of gunfire shattered the evening calm in a parking lot on the 1000 block of South Broadway in Lexington, Kentucky. When the violence subsided, three men had been shot. One of them was 20-year-old Julio Vazquez.
Police and emergency services arrived at the scene around 6:30 p.m. to find a chaotic and tragic situation. Another 20-year-old, Mauricio Jenkins, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Vazquez and a third, unidentified man were rushed to the University of Kentucky Hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Julio Vazquez succumbed to his injuries at 8:42 p.m. The third victim was reported to be in critical condition.
The shooting marked a grim start to the year for Lexington, registering as the city's first homicide of 2026. The Fayette County Coroner's Office confirmed the identities of both Vazquez and Jenkins. In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, details about what led to the incident were scarce. The Lexington Police Department launched an investigation into the triple shooting, with detectives canvassing the area for evidence and witnesses. They urged residents and business owners near the South Broadway parking lot to check their surveillance cameras for any footage that might provide clues.
As of the latest reports, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been announced in connection with the deaths of Julio Vazquez and Mauricio Jenkins. Authorities have not released a potential motive for the shooting. The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to seek information from the public. They have asked anyone with knowledge of the shooting to contact the Lexington Police Department or to submit anonymous tips through Bluegrass Crime Stoppers.
