Kentucky State Police (KSP) are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred at a Lily residence two days before Christmas.
About 11:53 p.m. on Dec. 23, the London Police Department (LDP) requested that KSP investigate an officer-involved shooting that one of its officers was involved in that had taken place at 511 Vanzant Road in Laurel County, according to a KSP release.
A search on Google Maps indicates that the area is located in the Lily community.
The preliminary investigation indicates LPD officers were following up on an investigation with an attempt to execute a search warrant. During the encounter, an LPD officer fired their agency-issued firearm, striking the individual.
The man sustained injuries and life-saving measures were performed on-scene. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Laurel County Coroner’s Office. No other injuries were reported, according to a KSP release.
Multiple media outlets report that the Laurel County Coroner’s Office has identified the deceased as Douglas Harless, an individual in his 60s.
A LPD press release Thursday afternoon confirms that officers from that department were following up on an investigation, which started in the city limits of London.
“This investigation led officers to attempt to execute a search warrant at a residence on Vanzant Road in Laurel County. While doing so, the occupant of the residence produced a firearm and pointed it at officers. The officer then responded with force, which resulted in the death of the occupant,” according to the LPD release.
The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure and in line with the department’s policy for this type of incident, the LPD release stated.
London Mayor Randall Weddle released the following statement Thursday afternoon addressing the shooting.
“The London City Police has released a statement, and my office will closely follow the investigation being conducted by the Kentucky State Police. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this incident. The family and friends of the individual remain in our thoughts and prayers as well as the officers involved. I want to remind everyone that this is an open investigation, so I am limited in what I can say at this time. Let’s allow the Kentucky State Police to thoroughly investigate this situation.”
KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the Commonwealth as requested by local, state and federal 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’s standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts have been gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case,” the KSP release stated.
