Officials have identified the female victim in Wednesday’s homicide near Ben Hawes Park as 16-year-old Gay Mee Paw, of Owensboro. She attended Owensboro High School. A 16-year-old male juvenile has been charged with murder in this case, according to the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office.
An autopsy was performed on the victim Thursday morning by the Kentucky State Medical Examiner in Madisonville. The cause of death has been determined to be homicide due to a single gunshot wound to the victim’s head, according to DCSO.
Because the suspect is a juvenile, his identity cannot be released at this time according to state law. In addition to murder, the suspect has been charged with tampering with physical evidence and possession of a handgun by a minor.
Following the suspect’s arrest, search warrants were obtained executed by detectives. Evidence was recovered and is being processed by the Kentucky State Police Laboratory, according to DCSO. The suspect was arrested by DCSO Wednesday evening and transported to the Warren County Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Bowling Green.
Sheriff Brad Youngman said Wednesday afternoon that the shooting took place on Willet Road, and that the call came in to central dispatch at approximately 12:30 p.m.
Youngman said the female victim was located at the scene, and she was transported by AMR Ambulance in critical condition to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. Youngman said shortly after arriving at the emergency room, the victim died from her injuries.
At approximately 9:45 p.m. Wednesday, DCSO reported that their investigation determined the death was the result of a homicide. DCSO detectives from the General Investigations and Special Investigations units worked this case jointly and “quickly developed a suspect,” according to Youngman.
“Detectives have closely coordinated with the Daviess County Attorney’s Office, the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, the Court Designated Worker’s Office, and the Daviess County Coroner’s Office throughout this investigation to do our best to ensure a successful prosecution that ultimately results in justice for the victim and her loved ones,” Youngman said Thursday.
At this time, this is still an active DCSO investigation and detectives are following up on leads. DCSO is asking anyone that was in the area of Willet Road during the time of the shooting, or anyone in the community that may have information regarding this investigation, to contact DCSO at 270-685-8444 or Crime Stoppers at 270-685-8484.
DCSO is the lead agency on the death investigation. The Owensboro Police Department and Kentucky State Police, along with the Daviess County Fire Department, also responded to the scene and provided resources to assist with the investigation.
