Published: February 15, 2008 11:34 pm      

Alleged car wash shooter arraigned

Could face 10 to 20 years in prison

CATLETTSBURG — An 18-year-old Ashland man accused in a shooting Tuesday morning that left another man critically injured made his initial court appearance Friday.

James Eric Estep, of the 3000 block of Carter Avenue, was arraigned in Boyd District Court on a charge of first-degree assault.

A plea of not guilty was automatically entered on Estep’s behalf. The charge is a Class B felony, meaning Estep could be sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison if he is convicted.

Judge Gerald B. Reams appointed the Boyd County office of the state Department of Public Advocacy to represent Estep. He also ordered that Estep’s bond remain at $100,000.

A preliminary hearing in the case was set for 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Estep is accused of shooting Kenneth Hunt, 45, of Westwood, Tuesday morning at the Aqua Jet Car Wash Estep was attempting to flee from a robbery attempt, according to the Boyd County Sheriff’s Department.

Estep allegedly fired at least two shots at Hunt’s vehicle with a 9 mm handgun. One of the rounds struck the vehicle; the other hit Hunt in the back and lodged in his chest.

Hunt drove himself to King’s Daughters Medical Center following the incident. From there, he was transferred to St. Mary’s Medical Center.

Hunt had been listed in critical condition. However, St. Mary’s spokeswoman Sharon Shaw said Friday that she could neither confirm nor deny that Hunt was a patient at the hospital.

Estep was arrested Wednesday evening at his home by sheriff’s deputies.

According to the sheriff’s department, Hunt and a woman were sitting in Hunt’s vehicle at the car wash immediately before the shooting when a late-1980’s model Dodge pulled in next to them. The shooter, later identified by witnesses as Estep, allegedly got out of the Dodge, pointed a gun at Hunt and demanded money.

Hunt drove away and the gunman opened fire, authorities said.

A man and a woman reportedly were in the car from which the shooter emerged. Neither has been arrested or charged. However, the sheriff’s department has said that more charges are pending in the incident.

KENNETH HART can be reached at khart@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2654.