On a tragic Friday in Alexandria, Kentucky, the life of 14-year-old Devon K. Kemplin was cut short in a violent shooting that also claimed the life of a second individual and left a third wounded. The incident, which sent shockwaves through the community, unfolded on November 8, 2019. Devon, a male teenager, was fatally wounded in what authorities have described as a triple shooting. Another man, 47-year-old Brian Cornelius, was also killed in the attack.
A third victim, identified as Derek Johnson, who was 37 at the time, sustained injuries but was expected to survive.
In the wake of the deadly shooting, law enforcement officials moved swiftly, and a suspect was soon taken into custody. The individual arrested and charged in connection with the homicides was identified as 18-year-old Richard Fessler. In a grim twist, the investigation revealed a familial connection between the suspect and the victims. Brian Cornelius was Fessler's cousin, and young Devon Kemplin was his half-brother. The motive behind the tragic outburst of violence has not been publicly disclosed by the authorities.
Following his arrest, Richard Fessler was faced with serious felony charges. He was formally charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of his cousin and half-brother, and one count of attempted murder for the injuries inflicted upon Derek Johnson. During his initial court appearance, a judge set his bond at a substantial $1 million. The community was left to grapple with the devastating loss and the disturbing nature of the alleged intra-family violence that led to the untimely deaths of Devon Kemplin and Brian Cornelius.
