24-year-old killed in Shepherdsville GFS distribution center shooting, another person injured

BULLITT COUNTY, Ky. (WAVE) - An arrest has been made after a shooting at Gordon Food Service (GFS) distribution center that left one person dead and another in critical condition.

Officials later identified the 24-year-old man killed in the shooting as Charles E. Puckett Jr.

Puckett died after being taken to University Hospital for his multiple injuries in the shooting, according to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office.

Shepherdsville Police Department Lt. Colonel Jason Paulley said that calls came in Monday around 9:31 p.m. about a reported shooting in the 300 block of Gordon Industrial Drive.

Officers found two people shot and they were taken to the hospital.

Police said that the shooting happened in the parking lot of the distribution center and there was no threat to any of the employees.

The suspect, Corey Z. Rowland, 28, of Louisville, fled the scene but was later taken into custody.

According to an arrest citation, Rowland had called 911 to turn himself in. He was apprehended by the Louisville Metro Police Department.

In an interview with a detective, Rowland said he left work early and remained in his vehicle waiting for “Chuck” and shot him 17 times. Rowland also said he shot “Josh” because “Josh” was friends with “Chuck.”

Rowland was arraigned in the Bullitt County District Court on Tuesday and entered a not guilty plea. His bond was set at $1.5 million.

GFS spokesperson Sharon Devine released the following statement to WAVE News.

“Based on the facts as we know them, an isolated incident between two employees of an on-site vendor occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. EST, on Monday, Feb. 20, in a contractor parking lot at our Gordon Food Service Shepherdsville Distribution Center.

“The incident escalated resulting in gunfire and the tragic death of one individual, and the hospitalization of another. Our hearts are with the victims and we are thankful for the quick action of local law enforcement that brought the alleged shooter into custody.

“No Gordon Food Service employees were involved in the incident. All involved were employed by a third-party that provides supplemental labor for our distribution center operations. Our local team is focused on managing the situation and is working closely with local authorities through their investigation.

“The safety of our team members is of our utmost concern and out of an abundance of caution, we are increasing the presence of our onsite security team. We are also providing our team members with resources they can use to support their mental health and well-being.”

The shooting is still being investigated.

Copyright 2023 WAVE. All rights reserved.