Kentucky fugitive arrested after murder victim’s brother spots and shoots him in supermarket parking lot

A Kentucky man is accused of attempted murder after he allegedly shot a suspect accused of killing his brother in a theft gone wrong, authorities said.

On Feb. 7, Stanley Earl Watts, 44, turned himself in to police for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Bradlee Simmons five days earlier, and he was booked into the Louisville Metro Corrections, his attorney said, according to television station WDRB.

On Jan. 22 around 3:30 a.m., authorities said, Simmons and Richard Reno, 38, allegedly drove away with a trailer belonging to Stanely Watts’ brother, Kevin Watts.

Kevin Watts attempted to follow the men in his vehicle. The three were involved in a crash, and one of the two alleged thieves shot Kevin Watts in the leg, and he died at the scene, Louisville police said.

"My brother's a warrior," Stanley Watts told WDRB shortly after the incident. "He died like a man. He was defending his family and his property. And to me, you know, some coward shot my brother and left him to die here. And all over a trailer and a car."

Reno was taken into custody nine days after the shooting, but Simmons remained on the loose until Stanley Watts spotted him in the parking lot of a supermarket on Feb. 2 and shot at him multiple times, striking him once in the leg, police said.

Stanley Watts fled the scene. Simmons was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at an area hospital and police then arrested and charged him with robbery and Kevin Watts’ murder.

For allegeldy shooting Simmons, Stanley Watts faces charges of attempted murder and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

“I would hope the system would look at this case with understanding and forbearance,” his lawyer said, according to WDRB.