A man holding his child hostage with a box cutter has been shot and killed by Kentucky State Police.
State police said the shooting occurred Monday morning in Whitley County at approximately 2:00.
Kentucky State Police responded to a domestic situation where 29-year-old Ronald W. Leach, of Jellico, Tennessee, was holding his one-year-old son hostage inside a vehicle in the driveway of a residence on Hwy 1804, near the Saxton community. Upon arriving, police found Leach had entered the home with his son, while threatening the child with a box cutter.
Police said a trooper entered the man’s home where a physical altercation took place between the trooper and Leach. During the altercation, Leach attempted to assault the trooper, resulting in the trooper shooting and killing Leach.
The child and trooper were unhurt in the incident.
The trooper, who has not been identified, was placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard protocol when a trooper is involved in a shooting.
The KSP Critical Response Team is leading the ongoing investigation.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
