Suspect hospitalized after allegedly drawing gun on trooper, deputy in Whitesburg

WHITESBURG, Ky. (FOX 56) — An officer-involved shooting investigation is underway after a response to reports of a domestic fight involving gunfire led to a man allegedly drawing a gun in front of law enforcement.

A preliminary investigation showed that a Kentucky State Police (KSP) trooper with Post 13 in Hazard and a deputy with the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office were sent around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, to a residence near KY-160 in response to reports of a shooting that stemmed from a domestic fight nearby.

The person who reported the fight to police told the deputy and KSP trooper that a neighbor, Julian Smith, 25, of Jeremiah, was allegedly responsible for the disturbance, according to a news release.

When Smith saw law enforcement officials, he allegedly ran into the woods and took out a pistol. The LCSO deputy and KSP trooper fired their agency-issued guns, hitting the man, state police said. Both of them then gave Smith medical attention until emergency personnel came.

Smith was taken to the Johnson City Medical Center, where he is reportedly stable. Neither the trooper nor the deputy was hurt, per KSP.

The officer-involved shooting investigation remains ongoing, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.