In the early hours of May 7, 2022, a burst of gunfire shattered the peace at Green Acres Park in Lexington, Kentucky, leaving a scene of chaos and tragedy. When police responded to calls of shots fired at approximately 1:16 a.m., they discovered two individuals who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds. One of the victims was later identified as James Henry Bost, Jr., a 49-year-old male. The other victim was 20-year-old Amaya Victoria Taylor-Sandifer.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 2:00 a.m.
The shooting incident resulted in a complex crime scene, with evidence of a vehicle collision and numerous houses and cars in the vicinity struck by bullets. In addition to the two fatalities, three other men were also injured by gunfire and later arrived at a local hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening. The Lexington Police Department launched a double homicide investigation into the violent events that transpired at the park off LaSalle Road.
In the wake of the shooting, law enforcement officials appealed to the public for assistance, urging residents in the area to review their home surveillance footage for any information that might aid in the investigation. Anonymous tips were encouraged through Bluegrass Crime Stoppers. However, despite these efforts, the case has remained unsolved.
A year after the tragic deaths of Bost and Taylor-Sandifer, their families continued to mourn their losses as the investigation carried on without any arrests being made. The community was reminded of the dozens of shots that were fired that night, an act of violence that cut short two lives and left several others injured. The mothers of both victims have spoken about their profound grief and their hope that someone with information will come forward to provide the answers that could lead to justice for their loved ones. As of the latest available information, no suspects have been publicly identified or apprehended in connection with the double homicide.
