LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said his officers still need help from the public, as they continue to investigate a string of shootings last week.
These perpetrators "depends on people to be afraid,” Weathers said. “And at some point in time, you have to say, ‘No, we’re not afraid of you.’ You can’t go around being silent and thinking nothing is going to happen, because as we see, innocent people get caught up in that.”
In a conversation with LEX 18 at police headquarters Thursday, Weathers reflected on the last two weeks, which he said has been challenging as both a father and a police officer.
“Last week was very difficult, especially when you have a young man such as Antwan caught up in something that he was not a part of,” Weathers said, referring to Antwan Jackson Roberts, 15, who was shot and killed last week.
Police believe Roberts was not the intended target. LEX 18 has learned the teenager was sitting inside his apartment at the time of the shooting.
“We don’t see stuff like that here,” Weathers said. “That’s not normal. And while right now you might be afraid to be in your home, we can’t dwell on it.”
Last week, police responded to about a dozen or so shootings in a matter of days. Weathers took to Facebook to publish a video, urging people with information to come forward.
“It seems to me that there are some people who are saying, ‘We’re not putting up with it,’” Weathers said. “And that’s what we need.”
Police believe all of the shootings are connected. They have made at least two arrests, but Weathers said it’s likely there are more suspects at large.
