LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — An incident in Lexington that garnered a massive police response near the former Athens Elementary School and temporarily shut down part of I-75 has ended in a suicide, according to the Fayette County Coroner.
Police and firefighters responded to the area near the 6000 block of Athens Walnut Hill Pike for an active investigation on Monday morning. Police say they responded to a trespassing call in the area involving a male and a female, both of which were considered suspects by police. When officers arrived, police say the male threatened to harm himself with the handgun he had on him. The female was able to move away from the male during this time.
Officers tried to deescalate and negotiate with the male, but police say he ended up shooting himself with the handgun. No officers fired their weapons. Officers tried to render first aid on the male until paramedics arrived, but he later died from his injuries.
Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn said the male died from a single gunshot wound that is consistent with a suicide. Ginn says the person's name will not be released until family members are notified.
I-75 between exit 99 and exit 104 was temporarily shut down in both directions as police were investigating Monday afternoon. The area has since reopened.
UPDATE: I-75 between exits 99 and 104 has been reopened.
— Lexington Police (@lexkypolice) May 16, 2022
Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to contact Lexington Police by calling (859) 258-3600. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling (859) 253-2020, online, or through the P3 tips app.
