A Kentucky police officer was shot and killed and several more wounded by a suspect who barricaded himself inside a home and then opened fire, police said.
Deputies with the Floyd County Sheriff’s office were attempting to serve an emergency protective order when the violence unfolded Thursday evening, according to Lex 18. Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt said they immediately came under fire as they responded to the home in Allen around 5 p.m.
Two officers were hit in the initial exchange of gunfire.
From there, things rapidly escalated into an active shooter and hostage situation, prompting an additional response from several law enforcement agencies, including the Kentucky State Police and SWAT teams.
Both the suspect’s wife and daughter were inside the residence when officers arrived on the scene.
The situation dragged on for hours, but authorities finally managed to arrest the man around 11 p.m. He was identified as 49-year-old Lance Storz, who’s now facing charges including murder, murder of a police officer, and assault on a service animal.
Hunt confirmed one officer was fatally shot in the violence and that several more were rushed to area hospitals. He estimated that between four and six officers were wounded, but he did not provide any details on their conditions.
Neither of the hostages were injured in the hours-long standoff.
“Tonight I ask the commonwealth to join Britainy and I in holding Floyd County in prayer,” Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear tweeted, “especially the family and loved ones of those who have responded to a barricade situation involving a shooting.”
