The Adair County Sheriffs Office responded to an altercation at a local business that resulted in 2 people being shot.
On Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 9:12pmCT, Adair County 911 received a call of a fight in progress at Anderson’s Pizza on Campbellsville Road. The ACSO was dispatched to the scene and Chief Deputy Brandon Hitch arrived approx. 2 minutes after the call was reported. Additional units from the Sheriffs Office, CPD, and KSP began arriving shortly thereafter. Once on scene, it was discovered that shots had been fired and two people had been hit.
The altercation began when Hispanic males Chris Marano and Stephen Perez started an altercation with another Hispanic male, Ernesto Garcia and his girlfriend, Alisha Corbin. According to employees, Marano and Perez had already been asked to leave the bar due to their behavior toward staff and guests. Ernesto tried to leave but the altercation got physical when Marano struck Ernesto then Perez jumped in. Murano and Perez began assaulting Ernesto by punching him, kicking him, stomping his head into the floor, and hitting him with chairs. Corbin, who was pushed to the ground several times, made it outside and retrieved a 9mm pistol and returned back into the bar to help Ernesto. The staff was finally able to get the fight stopped and was trying to get Ernesto out of the building so he could get help. Corbin then exited the building with the firearm. Witnesses stated she gave the gun to Ernesto at their truck.
An employee, Neal Rooks, who was trying to help Ernesto, was shot in the foot. He stated he heard the male, identified as Marano, yell that he had a gun as he charged toward him and Ernesto in the parking lot. Ernesto began firing his 9mm striking Marano in the leg, ankle, wrist, and stomach.
Marano was flown to the University of Louisville where he is in stable condition. Perez and Corbin were not injured. Ernesto received medical attention at TJ Health Columbia for injuries he sustained.
After interviews with witnesses, statements given, evidence gathered at the scene and footage from security cameras, it appears that Ernesto Garcia acted in self defense. However, the case and investigation will be presented to Commonwealth Attorney Brian Wright to determine if any charges should be brought forth.
The case is being investigated by Sheriff Josh Brockman. He was assisted on scene by multiple deputies, Columbia Police Officers and Kentucky State Troopers.
