UPDATE: Kentucky State Police Investigate Officer-Involved Shooting in Calloway County
MURRAY, Ky. (September 5, 2024) – The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) continues the investigation into the officer-involved shooting that occurred on Friday, August 23, in Murray, Ky. Preliminary interviews have been completed, and investigators have released their initial findings.
The preliminary investigation indicates that at around 10:30 p.m. CST on Thursday, August 22, the Murray Police Department had responded to a residence on Johnson Blvd. after receiving a report from a crisis hotline that an individual was threatening self-harm. Upon their arrival, officers interacted with a male subject, identified as 39-year-old Matthew Johnson, who was inside the residence. During their interaction, Mr. Johnson pointed a rifle in the direction of the officers who retreated to cover. Mr. Johnson then barricaded himself inside the residence, prompting Murray PD Officers to request the Marshall County Special Response Team to assist.
During the incident, a warrant was issued for Mr. Johnson for Wanton Endangerment 1stdegree and Terroristic Threatening 3rd degree. Negotiations were attempted by Murray PD and Marshall County SRT officers. Additionally, a mental crisis hotline was utilized to de-escalate the situation. Negotiating efforts were unsuccessful, as Mr. Johnson refused to cooperate or work toward a peaceful resolution. Marshall County SRT officers utilized a gas deployment into the residence, at which time, approximately 2:30 a.m. on August 23, Mr. Johnson fired a rifle at the officers, striking Deputy Jacob Hamm in the leg and arm, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries. Marshall County SRT officers, Chief Deputy Tim Reynolds, Sergeant Aaron Lane, and Deputy Chris Beavers, then returned fire. Mr. Johnson was struck by officer gunfire and injured but remained inside the residence, ignoring officers’ requests to surrender for some time. Eventually, Mr. Johnson surrendered, at which time he was flown to a hospital in Nashville for medical treatment.
Deputy Hamm was transported to Murray Calloway Hospital, where he was treated and released.
Deputy Hamm, Chief Deputy Reynolds, Sergeant Lane, and Deputy Beavers are employed with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.
These preliminary findings are subject to change as CIRT investigators continue this ongoing investigation.
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 gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.
*** Original Release Below ***
MURRAY, Ky. (August 23, 2024) – The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has been requested by the Murray Police Department and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Friday, August 23 at approximately 5:45 a.m. CST at a residence located on Johnson Blvd in Murray, Ky. CIRT detectives arrived on the scene and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
A male subject sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a hospital out of state for treatment.
A law enforcement officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital. The officer has been treated and released.
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 gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.
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