Someone Must Know Something: Bluegrass Crime Stoppers Adds $20,000 in Enhanced Rewards for Unsolved Homicides and Shootings
CENTRAL KENTUCKY — September 5, 2026 — Bluegrass Crime Stoppers is increasing the financial incentive for people with information about unsolved homicides and shootings across Central Kentucky, committing an additional $20,000 in enhanced rewards for anonymous tips that lead to arrests.
The initiative is aimed at encouraging witnesses and others who may have information about violent crimes to come forward, particularly in cases where investigators have not yet been able to identify or arrest a suspect.
Under the new initiative, an anonymous tip that leads to an arrest in an unsolved homicide could qualify for an additional $2,500 reward, while information leading to an arrest in a shooting involving a victim could qualify for an additional $1,000. Those enhanced amounts are in addition to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers’ existing reward of up to $1,500 for qualifying information.
“Someone Must Know Something”
Bluegrass Crime Stoppers is emphasizing that people who witnessed a crime, heard information afterward, or otherwise know something investigators may not have learned could play an important role in solving these cases.
David Ashford, chair of Bluegrass Crime Stoppers, said violence affects not only victims and their families but entire communities. The organization hopes the increased rewards will encourage people who may be hesitant or afraid to contact authorities directly to provide information anonymously.
The message behind the campaign is straightforward: someone may have information that could help investigators make an arrest, and that person does not have to publicly identify themselves to provide it.
Enhanced Rewards Available Until Funds Are Claimed
The additional $20,000 is not an unlimited program. Bluegrass Crime Stoppers said the enhanced-reward initiative will remain in effect until the $20,000 allocation has been claimed.
The organization is specifically directing the enhanced incentives toward unsolved homicides and shootings involving victims, giving tipsters a greater potential financial reward when their information directly contributes to an arrest.
Reward Structure
Homicide arrest: Additional reward of up to $2,500
Shooting arrest involving a victim: Additional reward of up to $1,000
Existing Crime Stoppers reward: Up to $1,500
Total enhanced-reward fund: $20,000
Duration: Until the enhanced $20,000 fund has been claimed
Why Anonymous Tips Can Matter
Investigators often rely on witnesses and community members to fill gaps in homicide and shooting investigations. A person may have seen a vehicle, heard a conversation, witnessed an argument, recognized someone at a crime scene, or learned information afterward that could help investigators establish a timeline or identify a suspect.
For people who fear retaliation or simply do not want to become publicly involved in a criminal investigation, Crime Stoppers provides an anonymous reporting option.
Bluegrass Crime Stoppers says tipsters can remain anonymous, allowing them to provide information without publicly revealing their identities.
Previous Enhanced-Reward Efforts
This is not the first time Bluegrass Crime Stoppers has used increased financial rewards to encourage information about violent crime.
The organization previously committed $10,000 in enhanced rewards in 2025 for information leading to four homicide arrests. According to LEX 18, that effort was followed by a significant increase in tips involving homicides and other violent crimes.
The latest $20,000 initiative expands that approach and comes as authorities and community organizations continue seeking ways to encourage residents to share information about violent incidents.
How to Submit an Anonymous Tip
Anyone who has information about an unsolved homicide or a shooting involving a victim can submit an anonymous tip to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers.
Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 859-253-2020 or through the Bluegrass Crime Stoppers website and P3 Tips platform.
Tipsters do not need to identify themselves when submitting information.
A Call to the Community
The enhanced rewards are ultimately intended to give people another reason to speak up when they know something that could help solve a violent crime.
For families waiting for answers after a homicide, an arrest can represent an important step toward accountability. For investigators, even a seemingly small piece of information can potentially help connect evidence, establish a timeline, or identify a person of interest.
Someone may know something. Bluegrass Crime Stoppers is asking those people to come forward anonymously and help investigators bring unsolved cases closer to resolution.
This is a developing initiative, and reward availability is subject to the remaining enhanced-reward funds and applicable Crime Stoppers guidelines.
