Clinton, KY - On July 1, 2016 at 5:09 p.m. Kentucky State Police, Post 1 received a report of a female on KY 307 with a firearm. The female had allegedly shot two male subjects.
Troopers responded to the scene and Trooper Cody Cecil located the female at the intersection of KY 1173 and KY 307 north. Martha A. Ligon, 68, of Bardwell, KY was holding a handgun but dropped the handgun when instructed to do so by Trooper Cecil. She was taken into custody. A short distance away Trooper Cecil located a 2014 Ford Focus stopped in the roadway on KY 307 North. Inside the vehicle, in the passenger seat, Trooper Cecil located Ray L. Ligon, 83, of Bardwell, KY with a gunshot wound to the neck. Also located near the scene was another male, Shane L. Courtney, 28, of Arlington, KY. Courtney had a gunshot wound to the right shoulder.
Preliminary investigation indicates that Martha A. Ligon was driving in Milburn, KY with her husband Ray L. Ligon when, for an unknown reason, she began following what is believed to be a random vehicle. Martha A. Ligon followed the vehicle into the driveway of a residence in Milburn, KY. She then allegedly exited the vehicle and for unknown reasons began firing shots at several random individuals.
No one was injured during this altercation and Martha A. Ligon returned to her vehicle and fled down 307 North. Martha A. Ligon then shot her husband, Ray L. Ligon, in the neck. A short while later, Shane L. Courtney drove up behind the couple as they were stopped in the roadway on KY 307 North. Martha A. Ligon shot at Courtney as he sat in his vehicle. Courtney was struck in the right shoulder.
Ray L. Ligon was airlifted to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN with life threatening injuries. Doctors at Deaconess Hospital pronounced him dead just before 11:00 p.m. on Friday July 1, 2016. Shane L. Courtney was airlifted to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, TN with non-life threatening injuries.
Martha A. Ligon was arrested early Saturday July 2, 2016. She was charged with Murder (Class A Felony). She was lodged in the McCracken County Jail.
At this time the investigation continues by Det. Cory Hamby.
KSP has a toll-free number (1-800-222-5555) that citizens can call to confidentially report impaired drivers or criminal activity. They can also download the free KSP mobile phone app. The app provides quick, direct access to KSP including weather, road and traffic information as well as text, voice and photo tip capabilities to report criminal behavior. The app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android applications and can be easily downloaded free of charge through Apple and Google Play stores.
