In the early morning hours of a cold February day in 2016, the small community of La-Center, Kentucky, was shattered by a violent act that claimed the life of 18-year-old Theresa L. Hughes. A recent graduate of Ballard Memorial High School, Theresa was known for her love of softball and her involvement in the school choir and FCCLA. Her life was abruptly cut short when she suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
The incident unfolded around 3:00 a.m.
on February 2nd, when the Ballard County Sheriff's Office received a call about a shooting. Responding officers discovered a tragic scene. Theresa L. Hughes had been fatally wounded. At a nearby location, another young woman, 21-year-old Caitlin L. Houston, was found with a gunshot wound to her leg. She was transported to a local hospital and was listed in stable condition.
Investigators quickly identified the suspect as 22-year-old Shaquille Q. Edwards, who was Caitlin Houston's boyfriend at the time. Edwards was located at the scene and taken into custody without incident. The investigation determined that he was responsible for the shootings. While a definitive motive was not immediately released, the events tragically connected the three individuals.
Shaquille Q. Edwards was subsequently charged with one count of murder for the death of Theresa L. Hughes, one count of attempted murder for the shooting of Caitlin L. Houston, one count of kidnapping, and one count of first-degree burglary. In November of 2016, he was convicted of murder and criminal attempt to commit murder. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for the murder of Theresa L. Hughes, and a concurrent sentence of 20 years for the attempted murder of Caitlin L. Houston.
