In the early evening of December 6, 2019, a dispute that began on social media escalated into a fatal encounter for 21-year-old Kayla Hunter-Purcell in the Old Louisville neighborhood. The young mother of three was with two other women at an apartment complex on East Caldwell Street when an argument that originated on Instagram turned confrontational.
The situation intensified with the arrival of 24-year-old Jaylin Bell, who became involved in the dispute.
As the argument continued, Hunter-Purcell exited a vehicle. At this point, Bell allegedly attempted to take a handgun that was on her hip. According to police reports, she warned him to stop because the gun was loaded with a bullet in the chamber. In the struggle that ensued, Bell reportedly pulled the gun away from her, and it discharged. The single shot struck Hunter-Purcell, inflicting a mortal wound. She was rushed to University Hospital, where she succumbed to her injury shortly before 8 p.m.
Following the shooting, Bell fled the scene, prompting a police investigation. He remained at large for over two months before being apprehended. Upon his arrest, Jaylin Bell was charged with the murder of Kayla Hunter-Purcell. He also faced charges of unlawful possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and tampering with physical evidence, as the weapon used in the shooting was never recovered. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf, and his bond was set at $500,000. It was noted in court that Bell had an extensive criminal history and was on federal probation at the time of the incident.
