A statement by Kentucky State Police says a trooper shot and killed a man firing at police in Martin County late Monday night/early Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred just miles from where three officers were killed while serving a warrant last Thursday night in Floyd County.
A statement from state police is as follows: The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team is investigating a trooper-involved shooting that occurred on the morning of Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at approximately midnight in Martin County.
Martin County Sheriff John Kirk told news outlets on Tuesday that two troopers responded Monday night at approximately 11:00 to Sandlick Road in the Davella community on a report of shots fired (troopers were sent to the scene because a Martin County deputy had just finished his shift).
As troopers arrived at the scene, they were immediately fired upon, but were unable to locate where the gunfire was coming from, Kirk said.
Troopers reported an active shooter situation, with multiple police agencies responding, including the Pikeville, Prestonsburg, and Paintsville Police Departments, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Kentucky Fish & Wildlife, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, and two Martin County constables.
As the shooting continued, a trooper shot the suspect.
Kirk told WYMT.com the deceased suspect has previously had “run-ins” with deputies.
The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting.
Martin County adjoins Floyd County to the northeast, with the shooting Monday night taking place about 25 miles from last Thursday night’s triple-homicide in Allen.
“We knew that it could happen,” Kirk told WKTV.com. “Matter of fact, we made the comment just last Friday, that it’s just a matter of time that it happens here in this county … You know that every call you go on could be your very last. But when it happens less than a week ago in a neighboring county, 15 minutes from here, with some officers shot and killed and an active shooter – it concerns you.”
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
