A Kentucky sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed before dawn Thursday while working an off-duty security job at a used-car lot in suburban Louisville.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Shirley died after being “targeted” and “ambushed,” according to a statement by Sheriff’s spokesman Lt. Col. Carl Yates.

The suspect remains at large more than 12 hours after the crime.

The 26-year-old Shirley was shot about 2:30 a.m. at Rockford Lane Auto Sales in Shively as he sat inside his personal vehicle, Yates told CNN.

Shirley underwent emergency surgery at University of Louisville Hospital, but doctors were unable to save him, Yates said.

Shirley graduated from the police academy in December 2019 and immediately went to work for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

He was not married.

“Everybody liked him. He was a good person, he was good to be around,” Maj. George Grissom said, according to CBS affiliate WLKY.

Louisville Metro Police Chief Erika Shields described the shooting as “sickening” and confirmed the investigation had been turned over to her department.

“We will make an arrest,” she said Thursday.

Authorities have not yet provided a description of the suspect.

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Thousands of UGA students enjoy during the annual “Frat Beach” party for the weekend of the Georgia-Florida football game on St. Simons Island, Friday, November 1, 2024. On the weekend of the Georgia-Florida football game, St. Simons Island’s East Beach becomes “Frat Beach,” an open-air party teeming with thousands of highly inebriated college students. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)

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