In Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Tiffanie Lucas, 32, faces murder charges for the shooting deaths of her two sons, aged six and nine, in their home. The incident occurred in Bullitt County, a Louisville suburb.
On Wednesday morning, November 8, 2023, authorities responded to reports of a shooting at Lucas’ home. A neighbor had felt something was wrong and went over there to check. Upon the police’s arrival, they made a grim discovery: the two boys, Maurice Baker, Jr, 6, and Jayden Howard, 9, were found with gunshot wounds and covered in blood.
A gun, believed to be the murder weapon, was located on a bed nearby. Despite both children being rushed to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, they died from their injuries.
The mother was later arrested at 200 Salt Well Court, the address of Bullitt County Emergency Medical Services, indicating that she accompanied her sons to the hospital.
Colonel Alex Payne, a chief deputy with the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office, addressed the media, stating that Lucas’ violent behavior could be attributed to “pure evil,” a mental health crisis, substance abuse, or a combination of these factors. He emphasized that the motive and circumstances remain unclear. “None of its good. The result is horrific,” he said.
Lucas’ Facebook profile depicted her as a loving mother. In a Mother’s Day post, she expressed deep affection for her sons, referring to them as “always together” and “never apart.” Her online presence showed no signs of potential violence. Lucas had a prior conviction for drug possession, which resulted in a month-long jail sentence, but no history of violent behavior was noted.
The two boys were half-brothers, with the father of one deceased, and the father of the other not immediately located.
Maurice’s stepmother, Michelle Rice, related that Lucas had a drug problem and that children’s services had been contacted previously.
Talia Crutcher, who identified as Lucas’ friend, expressed her devastation on social media, reflecting on the disbelief and betrayal those who knew Lucas and her sons felt. She speculated about possible mental health issues Lucas might have faced but insisted that the Lucas she knew would never harm her children.
Lucas was detained at the Bullitt County Jail on a $2 million bond.