In the early morning hours of April 18, 2023, a violent altercation in Louisville's Portland neighborhood tragically ended the life of 33-year-old Samantha Thompson, an African American mother of four. Responding to a shooting report around 2:40 a.m. in the 400 block of North 25th Street, Louisville Metro Police Department officers discovered Thompson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
She was quickly transported to the University of Louisville Hospital, but succumbed to her injuries shortly after her arrival. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office later confirmed her identity and cause of death. Thompson, a graduate of Jeffersontown High School, would have turned 34 just two days after her death.
Eyewitnesses at the scene reported that an argument between Thompson and 35-year-old Ivan Caulder escalated dramatically. During the confrontation, Caulder allegedly produced a handgun and shot Thompson once. Based on these witness statements, investigators from the LMPD's Homicide Unit identified Caulder as the primary suspect. The investigation into Thompson's death is ongoing, and authorities have encouraged anyone with additional information to come forward.
Following an investigation, Ivan Caulder was arrested by the Louisville Metro Police Department on June 2, 2023. He is facing charges of murder and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. After his arraignment the next day, Caulder was being held on a $250,000 cash bond.
