Mayfield, Ky.–An as-yet unidentified man was shot and killed by police early this morning as he approached officers, shooting multiple shots in their direction, while the officers were patroling the Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds.
The fairgrounds has been the distribution point for supplies for tornado victims and was closed to the public overnight. There has been a substantial amount of looting of victims of the tornado since December 10.
Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 1 is investigating the shooting that occurred at approximately 3:30 am CST on Jan. 5.
According to the press release from the KSP, “Officers from Frankfort Police Department were in Mayfield assisting local agencies with the aftermath of the recent tornadoes and severe weather system. The officers were conducting extra patrol at the Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds during the overnight hours of Jan. 5, at which time the fairgrounds were closed to the public. A subject, armed with a firearm, approached officers and fired multiple shots in their direction. Frankfort Police Department officers returned fire, striking the subject.”
The male subject was transported by Mayfield-Graves County EMS to Jackson Purchase Medical Center in Mayfield where he was pronounced deceased by the Graves County Coroner.
At the request of the Frankfort Police Department, KSP Post 1 and the KSP Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene, and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing by KSP Post 1.
KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the commonwealth as requested by local law enforcement agencies. KSP is committed to being transparent while ensuring the integrity of the investigation. To protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation, it is KSP standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.
Early this morning, officials had notified the media that distribution center would be closed pending a police investigation. Several churches in the area are offering basic supplies and will remain open until the fairgrounds supply center is back in service tomorrow..