Advertisement Arrest made in fatal shooting at abandoned gas station that left 2 dead Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Two men are dead after a shooting at an abandoned gas station. It happened around 2 p.m. Thursday in the 6000 block of Highway 60 in Garfield.Residents told WLKY the Ashland gas station closed its doors about two years ago. Since then neighbors used the space, once also home to a Taco Bell, for yard sales."People called me because they were concerned about us because they recognized where it is in conjunction to the shop," business owner Sylvia Swanson said. "We were really surprised, very saddened by it and I just don't understand it."Wayne Nunley lives across the street and was shocked to see the area marked as a crime scene. He said he had heard what he later determined to be gunshots and witnessed the end of the shooting."I heard two knocks and I thought it was my door and I went to check it out and walked outside and saw the man fall to the ground," Nunley said.Police said three men, Johnny Thompson, Branden Williams and his friend James Wardrip met at the vacant gas station to fight.Investigators believe Thompson and Williams were dating the same woman and she called Williams, claiming Thompson was harassing her.Police said Williams shot Thompson, then Wardrip claims he fired when Williams turned the gun on him. Williams and Thompson died."The only thing that happens across the street is yard sales, or sometimes people come in and stop for a minute or whatever, but there's nothing suspicious or anything that we were concerned about," Swanson said. "So it's just kind of amazing that that happened there of all places."Swanson said while this won't hurt business, it's a tragedy all the way around. And she said nowadays, it can happen in any community.Wardrip was charged with murder.