2 suspects dead after exchanging gunfire with cops in southeastern Kentucky
A drug trafficking investigation turned into a police shootout on Tuesday, as Kentucky State Police said they were shot at while trying to serve a search warrant in Knox County.
Police fired back and killed a man in his 30s, but one suspect escaped the scene, police said. He was found later, and was also shot and killed after shooting at police, KSP said.
KSP’s Special Response Team tried to serve a search warrant on Johnson Hollow Road Tuesday afternoon, but armed suspects shot at investigators, police said. State officers fired back and killed Charles Garland, a 30-year-old Gray resident, police said.
Joseph R. Middleton, 41, fled the scene, police said. He was found by police in the woods on the same road Wednesday. He again fired at officers, who shot back and killed Middleton, police said. As a result of the Tuesday shooting, Middleton was wanted for four counts of attempted murder of an officer.
KSP Post 10 and KSP’s Critical Incident Response Team are both investigating the shootings. KSP was assisted by the FBI, ATF, DEA and the Knox County coroner at the scene.
This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 7:07 AM.