According to Kentucky police, an Ohio man has been arrested after shooting his friend during a physical altercation.
Anthony Emerson, 35, is accused of one count of murder, according to Pulaski County jail records.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning near Lake Cumberland, a massive reservoir and lake that spans multiple counties in Kentucky. Thomas Wayne Dick, 35, died as a result of a gunshot wound, according to the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department.
The assailant is from Batavia, Ohio, a village about 25 miles east of Cincinnati. The victim is from Aurora, Indiana, a small town located just across the border in the Cincinnati metropolitan area. The pair would have traveled approximately 200 miles due south to reach the lake house where the violence eventually occurred.
On the day in question, Emerson called 911.
“Did he break into the residence?” the dispatcher inquired in audio obtained by Lexington-based CBS and The CW affiliate WKYT.
Emerson allegedly responded in the negative: “No, he did not break in, man.” We had an argument. He came at me. I did not have a choice.”
The dispatcher asked the caller, “Sir, who shot him?”
This time, Emerson allegedly answered the county employee affirmatively: “I did. He came in and threatened my life. I did not have a choice. Please just come and save him.
Law enforcement took 20 minutes to arrive due to the remote nature of the area and a purported error in the address made by the 911 caller, which was apparently caused by a lack of signage on the rural gravel road where the two friends fought.
“The dad told me that these two were friends,” Pulaski County Deputy Coroner Keith Price told the television station. “Lifelong friends. They just got into a fight. “One shot the other one.”
During the 911 call, Emerson allegedly provided some information, claiming he shot his friend in the upper chest. The defendant also maintained his claimed mental state, claiming that even though the victim did not have any weapons, he felt threatened.
Dick had died by the time authorities arrived after 1:30 a.m., sheriff’s deputies told Cincinnati-based Fox affiliate WXIX.
The reason for the fight is unknown at this time.
Emerson, for his part, allegedly admitted to the 911 dispatcher that he and Dick had been drinking alcohol before the shots were fired.
“I was scared for my life,” the defendant allegedly stated.
Emerson is currently detained at the Pulaski County Detention Center on a $1 million bond.
The investigation is said to be ongoing, and local law enforcement has asked the public for assistance with additional information.
