Williamsburg man arrested in connection with East Bernstadt shooting

This Hyundai was the scene of an accidental shooting in East Bernstadt Monday afternoon.

A 16-year-old girl had to be flown to Lexington following an accidental shooting Monday afternoon in East Bernstadt that resulted in the arrest of two people.

Shawn Perkins, 25, of Williamsburg, was charged with unlawfully permitting a minor to possess a handgun, which is a class ‘D’ felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

He was lodged in the Laurel County Detention Center where he is being held in lieu of a $10,000 cash bond, according to the detention center’s website.

A 15-year-old female London juvenile, who fired the gun, has been charged with first-degree assault, first-degree wanton endangerment and possession of a handgun by a minor, according to a Laurel County Sheriff’s Department release.

The incident happened about 12:15 p.m. about one mile north of London on Fiechter Lane.

Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies determined that the trio were occupants in a Hyundai passenger car that the 16-year-old female was driving.

Perkins, who was in the front seat, allegedly allowed the 15-year-old female, who was in the back seat, to handle a high point 9 mm handgun, according to a sheriff’s department release.

“While the weapon was in the possession of the 15-year-old female juvenile, the weapon discharged striking the 16-year-old female juvenile driver in the back causing serious injuries,” the release stated.

Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County and members of the East Bernstadt Volunteer Fire Department treated the victim at the scene.

A PHI air medical helicopter airlifted the victim the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington.

Detective Kyle Gray and Deputy Josh Scott are leading the investigation. Others assisting at the scene included: members of the East Bernstadt Volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County, Justin Noe with Laurel County Public Safety, social services, the Court Designated Worker (CDW), and PHI helicopter.