By MATT THACKER
Matt.Thacker@newsandtribune.com
JEFFERSONVILLE —
Family and friends gathered for a candlelight vigil Monday evening to mourn the death of a Jeffersonville man who was shot and killed in his pickup truck Saturday.
Anthony Redd, 46, was remembered as a hard-working family man. Redd was born in Jeffersonville where he lived his entire life and graduated from Jeffersonville High School. He worked as a welder for Fire King Inc. in New Albany.
Lisa Marie Bass, who married Redd only eight months ago, said it was “like a dream.”
“He was a good person. My husband, I love him, and I know he loves me,” Bass said. “Why this happened only God knows.”
The Jeffersonville Police Department received a call just after 6 p.m. about a man found behind the wheel of a pickup truck in the 1400 block of Mitchell Avenue. Redd was found deceased and appeared to have been bleeding.
His body was transported to the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office where it was determined Redd had died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
Police have not released any information about possible suspects, but family members indicated a suspect has been identified. Detectives were not available to confirm that Monday night. The family did not know what led to the murder.
“I want them to pay for taking my husband’s life,” Bass said.
More than 100 people gathered at the location where Redd was found in a parking lot near Kidmarx Christian Academy. Christopher 2X, a Louisville civil rights activist, said the location was chosen to show the family will not be defeated by the negative energy.
“The way we gradually clean this thing up is through the voices of the survivors of victims,” he said. 2x has represented countless families of murder victims in Louisville, but this time was more personal. Redd is his cousin, but he said he must stay strong for Bass.
2X described the shooting as “animalistic” and urged the community to put an end to the “senseless violence.” He said the adults need to stay strong and set a good example for the children.
“His family is looking for their due justice. They’re going to seek it through the judicial system,” he said.
Several relatives of Redd spoke about his character and how much he loved his family. He had two children and four step-children. He called his parents each day to check on them.
“I just miss him,” said Lee Redd, the victim’s father. “He was a good son, and we miss him a lot.”
Redd, who lives in the 300 block of West Maple Street, was arrested in June after shooting a 19-year-old male who he saw allegedly breaking into his truck outside his residence. Redd was charged with class D felony criminal recklessness for that incident. The teenager, who was shot in the leg as he ran from the scene, did not suffer life-threatening injuries.
“That was a pure reaction of wanting to protect his family,” 2X said.
2X said Redd knew what he did was wrong and was ready to resolve the case. He does not believe that is related to the murder, although they are still waiting on the investigation to conclude.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, at Scott Funeral Home’s North Chapel, Jeffersonville.
