What began as a suspicious vehicle call turned into a six-hour-long standoff in Hopkinsville Sunday and officers fatally shot the suspect when he pointed a gun at police for the second time in the afternoon.
Hopkinsville Police Chief Clayton Sumner said during a news conference Sunday night that an officer responded to a call at about noon to check the welfare of a man in a vehicle in the 1900 block of South Main Street and a computer check showed he was wanted on an extraditable warrant from Florida.
A struggle ensued between the suspect and the officer and the man allegedly pointed a gun at the officer and then fled on foot into a nearby apartment.
Officers unsuccessfully attempted multiple times to make contact with the man and tried to bring him out with tear gas.
Knowing he was hiding in the attic, officers eventually went in and Chief Sumner says they fired weapons and killed the suspect when he pointed a gun at police.
While the investigation is in its early stages, Chief Sumner says it’s his belief now the suspect wanted to commit suicide by cop.
He says Kentucky State Police is investigating the incident and while he believes the officers were justified in their actions, they will be off the street while all investigations are ongoing, which is routine procedure.
Kentucky State Police have not released the name of the suspect and the officers involved have not been identified.
Watch entire news conference below:
https://www.facebook.com/whopradio/videos/1639870213025076