Arrest Made After Shots Fired Call in Burlington

The incident took place early Wednesday morning.

(Burlington, Ky.) - One person is in custody after a reported shots fired call early Wednesday morning. 

Boone County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the 8000 block of Locust Grove Road in Burlington around 1:07 a.m.

Upon arrival, deputies met with a victim who was visiting friends on Locust Grove. The victim reported that Richard L. Zornes, 56, arrived at the residence armed with a shotgun. Zornes confronted the victim at the back door of the home, and an argument ensued. 

The victim, who had been in an on-and-off relationship with Zornes over the past several years, attempted to walk away from him. Zornes allegedly threatened to kill her and fired a shot, nearly striking her in the head. Another victim, who was sitting in the living room, was also nearly hit, according to a news release. 

Zornes fled the area, and deputies later located his vehicle at his residence on Rabbit Hash Hill Road. However, Zornes was not found near the vehicle, and deputies observed no signs that he was inside his home. An arrest warrant was obtained, and deputies continued searching for him throughout the morning.

At approximately 10:40 AM, a deputy operating a departmental drone located a person in the woods near a tent close to Zornes’ address. The individual, later confirmed to be Zornes, was seen running from the woods toward his home. Deputies intercepted him near the residence 
and placed him under arrest.

Zornes is charged with one count each of Wanton Endangerment 1st Degree, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Terroristic Threatening 3rd Degree, and Attempted Murder (Domestic Violence). He will be lodged at the Boone County Jail and held on a $1,000,000 cash bond.