Three people waiting in line outside a Kentucky Division of Driver Licensing office were gunned down by masked gunmen on Feb. 21, 2025 — while Louisville Metro Police officers ate lunch at a neighboring business, authorities said. The victims, including an 18-year-old and his mother, died in the Valentine's Day weekend attack that has now led to one arrest after roughly 17 months of investigation.
Background
Raysa Pacios Valdes, 29, Leslye Harbin Jr., 18, and Antwanette Chillers, 33, had formed a line outside the Valley Station driver's license office in Louisville when three suspects approached and opened fire without warning, according to Lieutenant and LMPD Homicide Unit Commander Les Skaggs. The attack happened despite marked LMPD patrol vehicles parked next door at a business where officers were taking their lunch break.
"Officers were then immediately on scene," Skaggs said during a Thursday press conference announcing the arrest.
Harbin was pronounced dead at the scene. Chillers — Harbin's mother — and Valdes were rushed to University of Louisville Hospital, where they both succumbed to their gunshot wounds. A GoFundMe for Valdes indicated she was renewing her identification when she was killed, leaving behind a husband and two young sons.
Investigators quickly determined the suspects fled on foot before escaping in a vehicle that had been reported stolen from a dealership days earlier. Police recovered the getaway car and executed approximately 50 search warrants as part of the sprawling investigation, Skaggs said.
"The lead detective has served about 50 search warrants in this case," Skaggs noted.
The Investigation
Detectives have spent more than a year piecing together the crime. On Thursday, LMPD announced it had arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the triple homicide. Because he was 17 years old at the time of the shooting, authorities are withholding his name.
"Additional DNA profiles have led us to identify other people who could be involved in this," Skaggs said. He added that one possible suspect identified through DNA evidence has since been killed in a separate homicide.
The arrested suspect faces charges of murder, wanton endangerment, and receiving stolen property. Police are still working to identify the two remaining suspects they believe participated in the attack.
"We need the community's help," Skaggs said Thursday.
Chillers' sister and Harbin's aunt, Jamilia Chillers, told WDRB she was shaking when she learned an arrest had been made. "It kind of felt like the same phone call I got when they were telling me that my sister and my nephew were the ones at the DMV — my heart sunk to my stomach," she said.
Key Takeaways
- Raysa Pacios Valdes, 29; Leslye Harbin Jr., 18; and Antwanette Chillers, 33, were killed in the Feb. 21, 2025 shooting at a Louisville DMV office
- The victims included a mother and her adult son who died alongside an unrelated third party waiting in line
- A 19-year-old has been arrested and charged with murder — he was 17 at the time of the shooting
- Police believe two additional gunmen remain at large; one possible suspect identified via DNA was later killed in another homicide
- Detectives served approximately 50 search warrants during the investigation
What's Next
The arrested suspect is expected to face arraignment on murder and related charges. The Louisville Metro Police Department continues its investigation into the two remaining suspects, urging anyone with information to come forward. Prosecutors have not yet indicated whether they will seek adult certification for the juvenile defendant.