Kentucky State Police Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting in Hancock County

HAWESVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 15, 2025) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 16 in Henderson was requested by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) to investigate an officer-involved shooting near Hawesville. KSP Post 16 was contacted on Jan. 14, 2025 just before 4:00 p.m. CST regarding the incident in the 100 block of River Street. Troopers and detectives responded to the location and the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

The preliminary investigation indicates Lewisport Police Department (LPD) officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Carl P. Newhard, age 60, Lewisport, Ky., when he fled in a vehicle. A pursuit of the fleeing suspect went into Hawesville where HCSO deputies utilized a tire deflation device, ending the pursuit. During the encounter, Mr. Newhard brandished a handgun at law enforcement and a deputy with HCSO fired his agency-issued firearm, striking the individual. Mr. Newhard sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, where he is in stable condition. No other injuries were reported. 

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 have been gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.

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