Winchester man charged in shooting

Published 10:05 am Thursday, September 13, 2018

A Winchester man is facing felony assault charges after allegedly shooting another man in the foot early Tuesday.

Ernesto Muniz-Batiz, 34, of 48 Jackson St. Apt. 2., was arrested without incident and charged with first-degree assault, Winchester Police Capt. James Hall said.

The victim, 47-year-old Pablo Hernandez, was transported to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment.

Email newsletter signup

The shooting was a result of an argument between the two men, Hall said, and happened in Muniz-Batiz’s apartment.

Hernandez left after being shot.

While the cause of the argument has not been verified, police believe alcohol was involved.

Winchester Police were called to Washington and Jackson streets at 1:31 a.m. Tuesday concerning the shooting.

Officers followed a blood trail back to Muniz-Batiz’s apartment. After entering, officers found Muniz-Batiz in a bed with the handgun, according to the arrest citation.

Following his arrest, Muniz-Batiz spoke with detectives, Hall said.

“He gave a statement corroborating what the victim said,” Hall said.

Wednesday, a district judge scheduled a preliminary hearing for 9 a.m. Monday after entering an automatic not-guilty plea. Muniz-Batiz’s $100,000 cash bond was not changed.

First-degree assault is a class B felony carrying a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison upon conviction.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

email author More by Fred