Kentucky State Police are investigating a fatal shooting by a police officer that occurred early Wednesday morning at the Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds.
Frankfort Police Department officers – in Mayfield assisting local agencies in the aftermath of recent tornadoes and severe weather – were conducting what a Kentucky State Police statement referred to as “extra patrol” around 3:30 a.m. at the fairgrounds.
The fairgrounds, which have been serving as a Point of Distribution center for tornado victims and local agencies, were closed to the public at the time of the shooting.
According to a KSP statement Wednesday afternoon, a man with a gun approached these officers and “fired multiple shots in their direction.” The Frankfort Police Department officers then returned fire, striking the subject.
This unidentified male individual was then taken by Mayfield-Graves County EMS to Jackson Purchase Medical Center in Mayfield, where he was pronounced dead by the Graves County Coroner.
Kentucky State Police Post 1 and the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team responded to the scene and investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
A statement from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet confirmed the on-site distribution center at the fairgrounds will be closed until 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 6. During this closure, tornado victims can get supplies from several area churches. Anyone who has an unmet needs stemming from the recent severe weather in Mayfield and Graves County can call the Tornado Information Hotline at 270-727-5115.
