Investigators say a retired Jeffersontown police officer shot another driver in a parking lot Sunday, leaving him in critical condition, and it may have been a case of road rage. Police say the two men argued over the right-of-way at a 4-way stop at a Kroger store parking lot at at the Stonybrook shopping center.
Police tell us the retired officer involved in the shooting, 50-year-old Richard Koenig, left the force in February 2007 after 20 years of service, and that he called 911 after the shooting.
Police say it all happened in less than a minute about 3:30 p.m. Sunday. J'town Police Chief says that's when Koenig and 33-year-old Darren Pickerill pulled up to a 4-way stop at the northwest corner of Kroger's shopping center and began arguing.
"There was some issue as to who had the right-of-way," Sanders said. "Words were exchanged while still in the vehicle."
During the confrontation, Koenig told police he saw Pickerill's weapon and fired six to eight shots in self-defense. Some of those bullets struck the wall of a nearby National City Bank, and several several hit Pickerill.Police recovered a weapon from Pickerill's vehicle, but police have not said whether it had been fired.
Both Pickerill and Koenig had permits to carry concealed deadly weapons.
"It's common for retired police officers to carry weapons," Sanders said. "They encounter a lot of people during their careers. Most feel comfortable carrying a firearm when they retire."
J'town Police are continuing the investigation, and will submit their findings to the Jefferson County Commonwealth Attorney's office.
"It will be their determination as to who, if anyone, should be charged whether or not this case will be turned over to the grand jury," Sanders said.
Pickerill was still listed in critical condition late Monday.
Chief Sanders said Pickerill and Koenig did not know each other before they met at the intersection.
Police are also checking to see if the shooting may have been captured on surveillance cameras in the area.