FORT MITCHELL, Ky. - A shooting incident unfolded at a Kroger supermarket in Fort Mitchell on Tuesday morning, leaving one person hospitalized, according to the local police.

Authorities were alerted to the scene on Dixie Highway after receiving reports of gunshots fired outside the Kroger location. Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered a crashed vehicle obstructing the store's exit, with a confrontation taking place between multiple individuals.

Preliminary investigations by the Fort Mitchell police reveal that the owners of a stolen vehicle from Ohio used a cellphone tracking app to locate their car, finding it parked at the Kroger fuel pumps. A heated argument ensued, during which one of the vehicle owners brandished a firearm and discharged it, striking the alleged thief in the neck.

Officers on-site assert that the shot was fired in self-defense. The boyfriend of the shooter had entered the passenger side of the stolen vehicle, and the alleged thief made an attempt to drive away with him still inside. As the unfolding scene escalated, one individual involved in the incident purportedly attempted to flee the scene but ended up colliding with another vehicle.

The police did not disclose the severity of the gunshot victim's injuries, but confirmed that the person was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.

No arrests were made at the time, but Fort Mitchell authorities revealed that the investigation will be submitted to the Kenton County Grand Jury for further deliberation.

While speaking about the incident, Fort Mitchell Police Chief Robert Nader underscored the inappropriate handling of the situation by the vehicle owner. He expressed concerns over the safety of bystanders, stating, "Regardless of whether the Grand Jury chooses to charge the car owner with a criminal offense, this was not the appropriate way for the owner to handle the situation. Ft. Mitchell Kroger is always crowded, and we can't have bullets flying through a parking lot full of people or some innocent people are likely to get hurt. The appropriate response would be to call police and let us handle it. No one's life is worth a Ford Fusion, so let the professionals recover the car to minimize the risk of anyone being injured or killed."

The Fort Mitchell Police Department is actively working on the case and is encouraging anyone with relevant information to come forward. Updates on the ongoing investigation will be provided as more details become available.

The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that can arise during confrontations and underscores the importance of relying on law enforcement to handle such situations to prevent harm to innocent individuals.