Joshua Dale Starnes, 44, was fatally shot on the evening of May 30, 2026, in the Pleasure Ridge Park neighborhood of Louisville. Officers responded about 9:40 p.m. to the 6200 block of Ree Court and found Starnes suffering from a gunshot wound; despite life-saving efforts by police and EMS, he died at the scene.

Starnes worked as a union electrician for IBEW Local 369 and was described as a devoted husband and father who enjoyed fishing, hunting, grilling and attending University of Louisville football games with his wife of 26 years; the couple had three daughters. Police say the shooting followed a vehicular incident: 22-year-old Micah Lackey was allegedly driving under the influence, crashed and fled, then stopped in front of a home on Ree Court where an argument resulted in Starnes being shot.

Lackey was arrested by the LMPD Homicide Unit and charged with murder, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, and leaving the scene of an accident; a judge set bond at $500,000 and the case is proceeding through the court system. Anyone who knew Joshua Starnes or has information relevant to the shooting is asked to come forward.