The mother of the man suspected of killing a Richmond woman during a home invasion Tuesday morning has issued a statement pleading for her son to surrender, and saying he may be suffering from mental illness.
Kentucky State Police and law enforcement around the state are looking for 23-year-old Shannon V. Gilday, of Taylor Mill (Kenton County), who is wanted for murdering 32-year-old Jordan Morgan, of Richmond, at Morgan’s residence at 1266 Willis Branch Road.
“The ongoing investigation alleges Gilday forced his way into the home at approximately 4:00 a.m., armed with a rifle. Once inside, he fatally shot Morgan while she was in bed,” Kentucky State Police said in a previous statement.
After the shooting Morgan, Gilday confronted the homeowner, Morgan’s father, 71-year-old C. Wesley Morgan, when gunshots were exchanged. C. Wesley Morgan, a former politician and businessman, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Gilday fled the scene in a white passenger car, believed to a 2016 Toyota Corolla with license plate number 379-VMJ. The Toyota, police said, has “minor damage to the front grill.”
Gilday’s mother, Katie Gilday, issued the following statement:
First I want to state that I am greatly saddened for the Morgan family, friends and loved ones for the pain and suffering it is believed by the police that my son has caused them and especially for the loss of their daughter Jordan. It is a terrible tragedy.
My son Shannon Gilday, who I love so dearly, has not been of sound mind the last couple of weeks, distraught with the certainty a nuclear war is imminent. He spoke of building a bunker and the CIA following him. I tried to get him psychiatric help but to no avail.
I plead to Shannon to turn himself in so that he can get the help he so desperately needs.
Meanwhile, I thank my family and friends for their love and support and ask for our privacy as we navigate through this unthinkable tragedy.
The palatial Morgan home has a “doomsday bunker” underneath the structure, giving rise to the possibility that Gilday, thinking nuclear war could be looming, may have wanted access to the bunker.
Authorities said Gilday has an active arrest warrant for murder, first-degree murder, first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree assault, and two counts of attempted murder. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Gilday stands about six feet tall and weighs 167 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes. Surveillance footage shows him wearing a camouflage or tactical style pants and jacket, dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, gloves, and a light-colored facemask.
If one encounters the suspect, do not approach the vehicle or attempt to make contact Gilday, police warned.
Anyone with additional information about the investigation is urged to contact Kentucky State Police at 859-623-2404.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
