A man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a woman early Saturday morning at a Paducah nightclub, according to the Paducah Police Department.
Officers were called to KC’s Bar and Grill in the 3500 block of Park Plaza Drive after reports of a shooting. Witnesses told police that a man entered the business and shot the victim multiple times before fleeing the scene.
The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries. McCracken County Coroner Amanda Melton identified the victim as 31-year-old Stephanie Stacey Whitnel of Paducah. Police confirmed she was the only person physically injured during the incident.
Investigators identified the suspect as 38-year-old Phillip Whitnel, who police say had previously been in a relationship with the victim. Detectives tracked Whitnel into Illinois following the shooting.
According to police, the Illinois State Police located Whitnel during a traffic stop in Franklin County, Illinois, where he was arrested on a warrant. Whitnel is charged with murder and domestic violence.
He is currently being held at the Franklin County Jail while awaiting extradition back to Kentucky. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities say additional information may be released as it becomes available.
The Paducah Police Department thanked the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office and Illinois State Police for their assistance in the investigation.
WYMC will update as the case progresses.
