Wilmore man killed by police had threatened suicide, authorities say

Kentucky State Police say a 40-year-old Wilmore man who was shot and killed by Wilmore police early Sunday had called a suicide hot line and threatened to kill himself.

When the two officers arrived at a duplex on Hinkle Street, Michael Foster, 40, came out of the home and pointed a weapon at the officers shortly before 1:15 a.m. Sunday, said Kentucky State Police trooper Robert Purdy.

The officers — whose names were not released Sunday — fired at Foster.

Foster was taken to St. Joseph Jessamine care center, where he was pronounced dead.

State police, who are handling the investigation, were called to the scene about 1:30 a.m.

Purdy said the initial investigation indicated the police officers were called to Foster's duplex after he called a hot line threatening suicide.

Foster died of multiple gunshot wounds, said Jessamine County Coroner Michael Hughes. An autopsy is scheduled Monday. Toxicology tests will determine whether Foster had alcohol or other substances in his system at the time of his death, Hughes said.

He did not say how many times Foster was shot.

Purdy said state police investigators have determined that Wilmore police had been to Foster's home on previous occasions for other disturbance calls involving Foster and a gun.

"We will continue to investigate and determine what has been going on in his life within the past week," Purdy said.

He said the two Wilmore police officers have been placed on administrative leave. Voice mail messages left for Wilmore police at their offices were not returned Sunday. The administrative offices of the police department typically are closed on Sundays.

This story was originally published April 19, 2015 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Wilmore man killed by police had threatened suicide, authorities say."