Corbin woman still critical after New Year’s Eve shooting

A Corbin woman remains in critical condition today after authorities found her New Year’s Eve on a neighbor’s front porch with a gunshot wound to the stomach.

Investigators with the Whitley County Sheriff’s Department say 38-year-old Kelly Richardson is recovering at the University of Tennessee Medical Center following the incident. Police were called to the residence of Donnie Grubb, on Hwy. 511 in Corbin about 15 minutes before the New Year after Grubb reported that a female was lying on his front porch bleeding. When authorities arrived, they found Richardson bleeding profusely from the wound.

“She was conscious enough to tell me she was cold and things of that nature,” said Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Ron Bowling, the first law enforcement official on the scene. “We asked her who did it to her, and she said she did.”

Police think Richardson shot herself with a high-powered hunting rifle following an argument with her husband, Larry Richardson.

Bowling said Grubb lives only about 80 yards from the Richardson home and that Larry Richardson went there after the argument in order to let things calm down.

Police think Kelly Richardson shot herself at home about two hours after the spat, then stumbled to Grubb’s house and collapsed on the porch, though details on the case are still under investigation and no final determination has been made.

Richardson was airlifted by Air Evac Lifeteam and taken to the UT Medical Center for treatment.
“We have been unable to interview her because of her condition,” Bowling said. “It was just a very sad situation.”

Police say they believe alcohol was a significant factor in the incident. No criminal charges have been filed.
Whitley County Sheriff’s Detective Chuck Davis is continuing an investigation into the shooting. Bowling and Sgt. Dennis Foley assisted him at the scene.