Storage Unit Shooter Charged with Murder

A Benton man involved in a Monday morning shooting at a storage facility has been charged with murder.

McCracken County Sheriff Jon Hayden told West Kentucky Star that 49-year-old Jeff Conrad was indicted on a murder charge Tuesday.

Detective Matt Carter with the Sheriff's Department said the McCracken County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office convened a special grand jury Tuesday to hear evidence from the investigation into the death of 30-year-old Garlon Casey Cox.

"The grand jury returned an indictment for Murder against Jeffrey Conrad. Conrad was located and arrested in the Calvert City area on Tuesday afternoon at around 7:15 pm. He was transported to the McCracken County Regional Jail without incident." Carter said.

Police said Conrad told them he had arrived at AAA Mini Storage in Reidland Monday morning and confronted two men who were burglarizing a unit he had rented. He reportedly held Cox and 36-year-old Brandon York, both of Benton at gunpoint, ordering them to not move. Police said Conrad told them he shot Cox in the head when York ran from the scene on foot. Police caught York shortly after the incident.

York was arraigned Tuesday morning. He entered a not guilty plea from McCracken County Jail. His bond was set at $5000, and he was assigned a public defender. He faces charges of 3rd degree burglary, possession of burglary tools, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. His preliminary hearing has been set for June 16 at 1:00 pm.