Campus Alert Archive
UofL

Derby Weekend Violence: Double Shooting on University Boulevard Kills One, Injures Another Steps From Campus

KYshootingtimely warningmedium confidence
Confirmed Threat

In the early morning hours of May 4, 2025, a double shooting on the 400 block of University Boulevard near the University of Louisville campus killed 32-year-old Bradley May and left a woman with non-life-threatening injuries. Two suspects were subsequently arrested and charged with murder and related offenses.

Alerts
2
Response
—
Killed
1
Injured
1
Institution
University of Louisville
Public R1 · KY
~23,000 studentsUofL Alert
Confirmed Timeline

Alert Sequence

2 messages in sequence

Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.

INITIAL ALERTSMS
Approximate reconstruction161 chars
UofL Alert: A shooting has been reported in the 400 block of University Boulevard near Eastern Parkway. Police are on scene. Avoid the area until further notice.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from WDRB and WAVE 3 News coverage; the shooting occurred at approximately 12:16 AM EDT on May 4, 2025
The shooting took place during Kentucky Derby weekend, a period of heightened activity in Louisville
UPDATESMS
Approximate reconstruction181 chars
UofL Alert UPDATE: LMPD Homicide Unit is investigating the shooting on University Boulevard. All parties have been accounted for. There is no ongoing threat to the campus community.

This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.

Reconstructed from local media reporting; LMPD confirmed all parties had been accounted for on the day of the shooting
One victim, Bradley May, 32, died at University of Louisville Hospital from multiple gunshot wounds
Context

Background

At approximately 12:16 AM EDT on May 4, 2025, Louisville Metro Police responded to a shooting in the 400 block of University Boulevard near Eastern Parkway, just steps from the University of Louisville campus. Officers found two victims with gunshot wounds. Bradley May, 32, was transported to UofL Hospital, where he died from multiple gunshot wounds. A woman was also shot but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The shooting occurred during Kentucky Derby weekend, a period of heightened activity throughout Louisville. Brendan Spencer, 19, was arrested in connection with the shooting, and Dakota Compton was later charged with complicity to murder and related offenses. The incident added to a violent Derby weekend in which five people were killed across Louisville.
Analysis

Key Findings

The double shooting occurred on University Boulevard near Eastern Parkway, immediately adjacent to the UofL campus
Two suspects were arrested: one initially and a second charged with complicity to murder approximately two months later
The shooting was part of a violent Kentucky Derby weekend that saw five homicides across Louisville
Outcome
Brendan Spencer, 19, was arrested and charged in connection with the shooting. Dakota Compton was later charged with complicity to murder, complicity to assault, and complicity to wanton endangerment.
Provenance

Sources

  1. News
    Man killed in double shooting Sunday near UofL campus identified (WDRB)
    wdrb.com
  2. News
    Man killed in shooting in Louisville's University neighborhood identified (WAVE 3)
    wave3.com
  3. News
    Another arrested in connection to deadly shooting near UofL (WAVE 3)
    wave3.com
  4. News
    Louisville Metro Police investigating after 5 killed during 2025 Kentucky Derby weekend (Yahoo News)
    yahoo.com
Tags
shootinghomicidenear-campusderby-weekendlouisvillekentuckyuniversity-boulevardpublic-university
Added May 2026Updated May 2026Via ingestion