The Kentucky State Police continue to investigate an early morning shooting involving a Lexington police officer. Officers were sent to Fifth and Chestnut following a report of a man with a gun.
Police Chief Lawrence Weathers says the 26 year old man did not comply with multiple verbal commands to stop and instead ran. The officer fired shots striking the subject who suffered what appeared to be a non-life threatening injury to his front hip. He was transported to a local hospital. Weathers was asked if the officer used proper protocol. “Initial information we received, it appears so, but then we’ve got to conduct an internal investigation to confirm that,” said Weathers.
First District Council Member James Brown said with a local and national call for enhanced accountability and transparency, the investigation needs to be conducted swiftly with additional facts shared with the community. “Just making sure that everything was done by the book and the officers involved in the incident fell back on their training and did what was best for the safety of the public in that moment and at that time,” said Brown.
The subject faces charges of fleeing and evading, felon in possession of a firearm, menacing, and trafficking in a controlled substance. Chief Weathers says the incident was captured on officer body-worn camera video. Brown hopes the video from the body cam can be released to the public as soon as possible.
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