By Jack Brammer
NKyTribune reporter
Shannon Gilday, the 23-year-old man from Taylor Miller who was wanted for allegedly killing former Northern Kentucky prosecutor Jordan Morgan, was found early Monday morning walking along Barnes Mill Road in Madison County.
Kentucky State Police said in a release that Gilday was taken into custody without incident by a deputy shortly after 4:30 a.m.
Gilday has been charged with murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, first-degree assault and two counts of attempted murder.
The Madison Circuit Clerk’s office said late Monday morning that no arraignment has been set yet for Gilday. Police said he will be lodged in the Madison County Detention Center.
State police said the investigation is ongoing into the Feb. 22 murder at the home of Jordan Morgan’s father, former state Rep. C. Wesley Morgan, on Willis Branch Road in Madison County. Willis Branch Road intersects with Barnes Mill Road but police did not say where on Barnes Mill Gilday was found.
State Police Sgt. Robert Purdy in a statement praised the various law-enforcement agencies that were looking for Gilday.
“We are thankful the search for Gilday has come to an end, and are grateful for the public and other agencies that have remained vigilant since Gilday was named a suspect on Thursday,” Purdy said. “Their efforts ultimately resulted in his safe apprehension early this morning.”
Police say that Gilday forced his way into the $6.5 million home at about 4 a.m. Feb. 22, armed with a rifle, and shot Jordan Morgan, 32, while she was in bed. She was an assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Boone and Gallatin counties from July 1, 2017, to July 21, 2015.
After killing the young woman, police said, Gilday confronted the homeowner and gunshots were exchanged. Her father sustained non-life-threatening injuries and the armed suspect left the scene in a white passenger car. The former Republican lawmaker has indicated that his wife also was shot.
Police said Gilday was wearing camouflaged or tactical style pants and jacket, dark-colored hooded sweatshirt, gloves, and a light-colored facemask.
His mother, Katie Gilday, said last week in a Facebook post that her son was in a poor mental state and pleaded that he turn himself in to authorities.
She said her son was “distraught with the certainty a nuclear is imminent” and that he had talked about building a bunker.
The Lexington Herald-Leader last year profiled the Morgan house, noting that it contained a large bunker.
State police have not disclosed a motive for the shooting.
See the NKyTribune’s earlier story here.