Man convicted of murdering Franklin woman was ‘lying in wait’ for her, prosecutors say

FRANKLIN — A man accused of killing a woman near a Franklin apartment complex last year has been convicted.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Elijah Thomas, 28, of Lebanon, was found guilty during a two-day bench trial of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, felonious assault, and improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation, according to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Liam Payne: 3 charged in former ‘One Direction’ star’s death
• ‘We had to let him go;’ Kirk Herbstreit announces death of beloved dog Ben
• Pennsylvania college football lineman found dead in dorm room, officials say

The charges were in connection to the killing of Katelyn Puckett, 23, in June 2023.

In the early hours of June 17 Thomas allegedly “ambushed” Puckett in the 100 block of Boulder Drive, near Emerald Edge Apartments, Franklin Police Department previously told News Center 7.

He fired nine shots at close range before running from the scene. Six of the shots hit Puckett, killing her.

The shooting was captured on a neighbor’s doorbell camera.

During the investigation, Puckett’s family told police that Thomas had made multiple violent threats toward her in the days and weeks before the shooting.

“GPS location data showed that Thomas had been lying in wait for more than 30 minutes before Puckett and her companions returned home,” prosecutors said.

Thomas faces life in prison.

[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]