Authorities said that two officers were killed in an attack by a man who opened fire on officers trying to serve a Kentucky warrant. An arrest citation stated that five other people were also injured on the spot in a rural area of eastern Kentucky.
The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office identified both the officers killed as Deputy William Petry, and Prestonsburg police captain Ralph Frasure.
According to a statement by the state police, three officers were still hospitalized. One officer is currently in critical condition and two others are stable. According to state police, one officer was released after being treated.
According to the citation, an emergency management official was also hurt and a police dog died.
Police took 49-year-old Lance Storz into custody late Thursday night.
Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt said that the responding officers were confronted with “pure hell” upon arriving on the scene.
He said, “They had no chance.”
According to the citation, Storz fired multiple shots at officers near his home on Main Street, Allen, Kentucky.
Hunt stated that four deputies responded initially, but Hunt called for backup as shots were fired at them. Hunt stated that the officers on the scene were subject to intense fire for several hours. Hunt stated that Storz surrendered following negotiations with Storz’s relatives.
Hunt stated that the deputies were responding to a warrant issued by the court for a domestic violence case. The state police arrived on the scene with local officers at 6:30 p.m.
A judge from Pike County arraigned Storz Friday morning. Storz pleaded not guilty in two murders of police officers and was sentenced to 10 million bond. The original charge was attempted murder of a police officers, but a judge upgraded that to murder at the hearing. He also faces another attempted murder charge as well as assault on a service dog.
In a statement, the state police stated that they are investigating the shooting.
Attorney General Daniel Cameron posted on social media Friday that he was “heartbroken” to hear about the deaths of two law enforcement officers.
Cameron stated, “Our law enforcement displayed unimaginable heroisms and sacrifice last night against the evil.”
“Floyd County, and our brave first responders, suffered a terrible loss last night.” Kentucky Governor, I ask Kentucky citizens to pray for this community. Andy Beshear posted a tweet Friday morning. “This is a difficult morning for our commonwealth.”
