Kentucky State Police has released the names of the officers involved in two shootings last week during and following a 30 minute pursuit that wound through Elizabethtown and on to I-65 before ending in a field in LaRue County.
KSP spokesman Scotty Sharp said Elizabethtown Police Officers Tyler Brown, Dustin Lucas, and Ken Swanson, Sgt. Alex Ruiz, and Sgt. Pete Chytla, as well as Kentucky State Police Troopers Ethan Whitlock and Jakob Clemons, and Hardin County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Andrew Eckart have been placed on paid administrative leave, as is customary after being involved in an officer involved shooting.
The suspect, who has not yet been identified, was shot multiple times after brandishing a firearm after the chase ended. He was listed in critical condition at University of Louisville Hospital. Police also fired at the suspect as he stole a vehicle on West Poplar Street, and tried to run over several officers.
The preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that at approximately 5:45 Tuesday afternoon, the Greater Hardin County Task Force and Elizabethtown Police Department were investigating near Big Lots, at 200 Sycamore Street. Elizabethtown police conducted a traffic stop related to the investigation, at which time the suspect fled on foot and stole a vehicle on West Poplar Street. The suspect, who police have not yet named, fired a gun while stealing a Nissan Altima, according to Sharp.
As the suspect fled he attempted to run over several Elizabethtown officers, with police firing at the suspect, Sharp said, as the suspect continued traveling through Elizabethtown at a high rate of speed.
Troopers joined the pursuit near North Mulberry Street, before the suspect entered I-65 south at exit 94 in Elizabethtown. With speeds reaching in excess of 120 mph, the Nissan exited the interstate at Glendale (exit 86) and turned left onto Hwy 222, then right onto Hwy 31-W, continuing south.
Troopers successfully deployed a tire deflation device at the intersection of Hwy 31-W and Hwy 84, in Sonora. The suspect traveled a short distance onto Hwy 84 into LaRue County before leaving the roadway and traveling into a field. As the vehicle came to rest, the suspect produced a firearm, at which time Troopers, Elizabethtown police and a Hardin County deputy returned fire.
The case remains under investigation by the KSP Critical Incident Response Team.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
