DAVIESS COUNTY, KENTUCKY — A community is mourning the death of Tracy Pearce, 37, after a violent series of events Wednesday night that authorities say began at a residence on New Cut Road and ended following a pursuit in Daviess County.

According to Daviess County Sheriff Brad Youngman, authorities first received a report around 4:30 p.m. concerning Jonathon Severs, 30, of Owensboro, who was reportedly planning to load firearms and harm himself. A BOLO was issued as officers worked to locate him.

Deputies later went to a New Cut Road home to check on Pearce’s welfare. Authorities said Pearce initially told deputies that she was safe. However, later that evening, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting that Severs was inside the residence. During the call, dispatchers reportedly heard gunshots.

When deputies arrived, Pearce’s mother was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. She was airlifted to a Louisville hospital and was reported in stable condition. Authorities said a toddler, a 13-year-old, and a 15-year-old were also inside the residence. While they were not physically injured, officials said they witnessed their mother being forcibly taken from the home.

Investigators allege that Severs abducted Pearce and fled the area. Later that night, authorities located his vehicle and pursued it after it was seen again near Highway 54.

Authorities said the pursuit continued onto Morgantown Road, where Severs allegedly rammed a police cruiser. Investigators said he exited his vehicle while armed with a handgun.

Sheriff Youngman said deputies ordered Severs to surrender, but he did not comply. Deputies then fired their weapons, and Severs was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the shooting, authorities found Pearce deceased inside Severs’ vehicle. The precise circumstances surrounding her death, the shooting at the New Cut Road residence, the pursuit, and the officer-involved shooting remain under investigation.

The four deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave, a standard procedure following an officer-involved shooting. The Kentucky State Police is leading the investigation.