Makhi King

Makhi King was an 18-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, who had recently graduated from high school and was known for his passion for basketball. A Black male, Makhi was a 2026 graduate of Waggener High School, where he played as a guard on the varsity basketball team, wearing the #14 jersey. Standing 5-foot-10, he was a dedicated athlete who had been part of the team since at least his junior year. His Hudl athletic profile shows he joined the sports recruiting platform in November 2024, highlighting his commitment to the game. He is remembered by his mother, Yashica King, and his siblings, who were left to mourn a young life cut short just as it was beginning.

The final hours of Makhi’s life ended in violence on the night of Monday, November 9, 2026. At approximately 11:25 p.m., residents in the Old Louisville neighborhood heard gunfire. Officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department were dispatched to the 100 block of West Burnett Avenue, between South 1st and South 2nd streets, following reports of a shooting. When they arrived at the scene, they found Makhi outside a local business, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services were called and attempted to treat his injuries, but the damage was too severe. Makhi King was pronounced dead at the scene, his life ending on the pavement of the historic city neighborhood. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office later officially confirmed his identity.

The investigation into the homicide was immediately launched by the LMPD's Homicide Unit. In the days following the shooting, police confirmed they had no known suspects and had not publicly identified a motive for the crime. The area where Makhi was killed is a mix of residential and commercial properties in a neighborhood known for its dense collection of Victorian-era homes. Investigators canvassed the area, speaking with potential witnesses and searching for evidence. They made a public appeal for assistance, urging anyone who was in the area or who might have relevant information to contact them. Police specifically asked for residents and businesses to check their security systems for any surveillance footage or for individuals to share any cellphone video that might have captured the moments before, during, or after the shooting.

Public records from the Kentucky Department of Corrections show that Makhi had recently been placed on supervision. Following a conviction in Jefferson County for offenses that occurred in June 2026, including fleeing or evading police, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree wanton endangerment, he was sentenced to five years. His supervision had begun on October 5, 2026, just over a month before he was killed.

The shooting added to the toll of gun violence that has plagued Louisville in recent years, leaving another family devastated and a community searching for answers. The abrupt and violent end to Makhi's life underscored the ongoing challenges the city faces. For his family, the loss was immeasurable, transforming a young man with a future into a painful memory and a statistic in a city's homicide count.

As of late November 2026, the investigation into Makhi King’s murder remains open and ongoing. No arrests have been announced, and no suspects have been publicly identified. His family and friends are left waiting for justice. The Louisville Metro Police Department continues to seek information that could lead to an arrest and has asked anyone with knowledge of the case to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling the department's dedicated tip line at 502-574-LMPD (5673) or by using the LMPD's online Crime Tip Portal.