Tiffanie Lucas, 32, of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, has been charged with the murder of her two young sons, aged six and nine, following a shooting incident at their home in Bullitt County, a suburb of Louisville.
On the morning of November 8, 2023, law enforcement responded to a shooting report at the Lucas residence. They found the two boys suffering from gunshot wounds and covered in blood. Both children, Maurice Baker Jr., 6, and Jayden Howard, 9, were quickly taken to Norton Children’s Hospital in Louisville, but unfortunately, they did not survive their injuries.
A gun, presumably the murder weapon, was located on a bed in the house. Lucas was later apprehended at the Bullitt County Emergency Medical Services facility at 200 Salt Well Court, suggesting she was present at the hospital with her sons.
Colonel Alex Payne of the Bullitt County Sheriff’s Office briefed the media about the incident. He speculated that the mother’s actions could be attributed to factors like a mental health crisis, substance abuse, pure evil, or a combination of all, but stated that the exact motive and circumstances remained unclear.
Lucas’ Facebook profile portrayed her as a loving mother, especially evident in a Mother’s Day post where she expressed deep affection for her sons. There were no indications of potential violence in her online activities. Her criminal record included a conviction for drug possession and a brief jail term, but no history of violent behavior.
The two boys were half-brothers; the father of one was deceased, and the father of the other was not immediately found. Maurice’s stepmother, Michelle Rice, said Lucas had a drug problem and that children’s services had been called several times and “they never helped those boys.”
Talia Crutcher, a friend of Lucas, expressed her shock and disbelief on social media, reflecting on the unexpected turn of events. While she speculated about Lucas’ possible mental health issues, she emphasized that the Lucas she knew was incapable of such violence.
Lucas is being held at Bullitt County Jail on a $2 million bond.
