PA Bill Number: HB2501
Title: In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer; and, ...
Description: In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for sentence for murder, murder of unborn child and murder of law enforcement officer; a ...
Last Action: Referred to Judiciary
Last Action Date: May 8, 2026
Kentucky Self-Defense: Russellville man arrested for Walmart shooting incident :: 08/23/2020
Hopkinsville police have made an arrest in connection with a shooting that happened Sunday afternoon in the Walmart Supercenter parking lot.
Officers were notified of the shooting just before 4 p.m. and Chief Clayton Sumer says investigation determined the victim was shot during a child custody exchange.
Lt. Kyle Spurlin says further investigation and interviews of witnesses led to the arrest of 60-year old James Martin of Russellville—who is the child’s grandfather. Martin had reportedly grabbed and dragged the child toward a vehicle when an argument ensued between him and the child’s father—32-year old Wesley Beach of Hopkinsville.
That’s when Martin allegedly brandished a gun and shot Beach, who was treated for injuries to his chest and arm and then released from Jennie Stuart Medical Center.
Beach tried to return fire from his own weapon during the exchange in what appears to have been self-defense, according to police. Martin was not struck by gunfire.
Martin was arrested and charged with first-degree assault, wanton endangerment and for receiving a stolen firearm.
https://whopam.com/2020/08/23/hpd-investigates-shooting-in-walmart-parking-lot/
