LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Kentucky State Police are investigating a shooting involving two Lexington police officers that occurred late Thursday night.
Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said the incident happened shortly before 9:30 p.m. when someone called for officers to Jennifer Road, not far from Eastland Parkway.
Police responded to an occupied stolen vehicle. Officers say the driver of the vehicle pulled out a gun, leading officers to fire their weapons.
Chief Lawrence Weathers says the driver was hit by gunfire and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
According to police, the person was alert and talking at a local hospital.
"Medical care is our first concern for the suspect. That’s always top priority, getting him to the hospital, making sure he’s okay. That’s really our priority right now," said Sergeant Guy Miller.
Lexington Police tell us they were called to the area (police PIO working to find out what original call was for). When officers arrived, police said events transpired that led two officers to fire at person, hitting him. Police say he is alert at hospital, officers unhurt. pic.twitter.com/bPQTZSZ3H0
— Sean Moody 🎥🎙📝📺 (@SeanMoodyNews) September 2, 2022
Weathers said police were wearing body cameras. The officers involved will be placed on administrative assignment pending the outcome of the investigation.
“It’s disheartening because it seems like it’s something that’s happening across the county, and I’m not sure what’s causing it,” said Weathers. “Unfortunately, policing is a dangerous job, and it’s our job to run towards danger, go to danger instead of running away from it."
One nearby resident, Kyle Hunchman, said his building officials plan on bolstering their security in light of the shooting and other recent events.
“We’re adding more security cameras that will actually send notifications to everybody’s phones if there's movement in certain areas, and if we see somebody that doesn’t belong in the buildings at night, call the police, get them over here,” said Hunchman.
The incident is being investigated by the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response team, and the department's Public Integrity Unit will conduct an internal review of the incident.
