Lexington residents faced renewed grief after a series of shootings over consecutive weekends left multiple people dead and others injured, including the deaths of 16-year-old Di’Zhon Robertson19-year-old Jarell Rojas and 32-year-old Rashi Washington incidents that occurred during East End Days and in separate episodes into Saturday mornings across the city. The Lexington Police Department is investigating and authorities have asked the public to provide information to support those probes. Ultimo aggiornamento: 2 settembre 2026
Why the recent violence matters to Lexington residents
The sequence of events has amplified concern about public safety and community trauma in Lexington, affecting families, neighborhoods and local institutions. Maria Fernandez described hearing gunshots around 4 a.m. on Saturday while feeding her newborn and said the violence made her worry for the safety of her family and neighbors; a 26-year-old man was fatally shot across the street in that same episode. Local organizers and city initiatives have emphasized the need for coordinated responses involving law enforcement, crisis support and violence-prevention programs.
Details of the shootings, victims and investigations
The first of the recent incidents occurred two weeks earlier during the East End Days festival, when 16-year-old Di’Zhon Robertson was killed and four others were injured. The following weekend, 19-year-old Jarell Rojas was killed in another shooting. Violence continued into the early hours of Saturday with four separate shootings across Lexington; two people were killed in that chain of incidents, including 32-year-old Rashi Washington and two others were injured. The Lexington Police Department has said detectives are working the cases and urged anyone with information to contact investigators. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by phone or online.
Mental health response and community resources
Psychologist Dr. Katherine L. Stone addressed the traumatic impact of repeated violence, noting that exposure to such events can lead individuals to shut down and that access to support is crucial. She recommended parents engage children in open conversations and seek professional help when needed. For younger people affected by the shootings, Dr. Stone suggested asking open-ended questions such as, “How are you feeling?” or “Tell me a time today when you felt normal.” She also pointed families toward referrals from guidance counselors and online materials from the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association for further information.
Local organizations, leadership and calls for unity
The citywide initiative ONE Lexington issued a statement of condolence and reiterated its commitment to intervention, mediation and crisis response. Devine Carama director of ONE Lexington, expressed support for affected families and encouraged residents to reach out to the Lexington Crisis Response Coordinator for emotional assistance. The initiative also urged community members to provide any relevant information to the Lexington Police Department reinforcing coordination between grassroots efforts and official investigations.
The combined details of the festival shooting, subsequent fatal incidents and the ongoing police inquiries have left neighborhoods seeking immediate safety measures and long-term support. Authorities continue to gather facts, and community leaders continue outreach efforts while mental health professionals highlight resources for those who experienced direct or indirect trauma.
