In the winter of 2013, the life of 20-year-old Caitlin Paige Cornett of Hazard, Kentucky, was tragically cut short. On January 15th, she was shot and killed in a parking lot at the Hazard Community and Technical College. Caitlin had arranged to meet her ex-boyfriend, 21-year-old Dalton Lee Stidham, to pick up their two-year-old son after a court-ordered visit. The exchange turned deadly when Stidham opened fire.
Accompanying Caitlin that evening were her uncle, 53-year-old Jackie Doug Cornett, and his 12-year-old daughter, Taylor Cornett. They had driven Caitlin to the meeting point. Tragically, they too were shot by Stidham. Jackie Cornett was found deceased in the driver's seat of the vehicle, while Caitlin was discovered on the ground near the car. Both had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Taylor Cornett was found in the back seat and was initially transported to the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries the following day. Their young son was not physically harmed during the incident.
The shooting occurred just one day after a court hearing regarding the custody of the child he shared with Caitlin. Following the hearing, a judge had granted joint custody, with Caitlin designated as the primary physical caregiver. On the day of the shooting, just hours before meeting Caitlin, Stidham legally purchased the. 40-caliber Glock pistol he would use in the attack.
After the incident, Dalton Lee Stidham turned himself in to the police. He reportedly confessed to the crime, telling authorities, 'I snapped, shot three people, I'm sure.' He was subsequently charged with three counts of murder.
