Updated: Police shoot, injure woman who they say struck cruiser, nearly hit firefighters
A woman was shot and injured by Lexington police after authorities say she backed her vehicle into a police cruiser, then accelerated forward and nearly hit several Lexington firefighters on Tuesday.
According to an arrest citation, the woman involved in Tuesday’s incident appears to be Lasielle White, 29. She has been charged with attempted murder, wanton endangerment, criminal mischief and fleeing/evading police.
Lexington police did not immediately confirm White as the suspect Wednesday, but details in the arrest citation — like addresses, times and a police chase between Fayette and Scott counties — match what authorities said during a Tuesday night press conference.
She was booked at the Fayette County Detention Center just after 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to jail records. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Police were called to the 2300 block of Lonan Court at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday for a report of “a domestic violence incident involving a weapon,” Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said at a news conference Tuesday night.
The victim in the domestic violence incident had fled the area, and officers did not make contact with anybody at the home.
Court documents say White tried to stab a man with a kitchen knife, but a cross-body bag prevented the knife from penetrating his chest. White subsequently slashed the two front tires of his car.
Police and firefighters were called back to the home at 5:04 p.m. for a report of “wanton endangerment involving a collision.”
Weathers said a woman, White, had tried to hit someone with a vehicle and then hit a residence. She was in the vehicle and refused to get out. Police said she backed into a cruiser, then drove forward and almost hit several firefighters.
“In response to the life-threatening situation, an officer fired their weapon, striking the driver,” Weathers said.
Court documents say White caused more than $1,000 in damage by colliding with the cruiser.
White then left the scene, and police pursued her through parts of Fayette and Scott counties before she stopped in Coldstream Park. White got out of the vehicle after Lexington Police Department’s crisis negotiation unit made contact with her. Police said her injuries were not life-threatening. She was taken to a local hospital.
Weathers said the officer had their body-worn camera activated. Kentucky State Police are investigating, and he said the Lexington Police Department’s Public Integrity Unit will conduct an internal review.
He said the officer who fired the shot will be placed on administrative assignment.
Newtown Pike was shut down for a time Tuesday evening because of the incident. The Lexington Traffic Management Center said the incident had been cleared and the road had reopened just before 7 p.m.
Earlier Tuesday evening, dozens of police vehicles responded to Coldstream Park, where police surrounded a vehicle and appeared to be trying to talk to someone inside as of about 6:30 p.m.
Lexington Fire Department Maj. Jessica Bowman said firefighters were dispatched to the 2300 block of Lonan Court at 5:14 p.m. Tuesday because a vehicle had hit the front of a house, knocking out two porch posts.
Firefighters were able to shore up the porch.
Herald-Leader photographer Silas Walker contributed to this report.
This story was originally published February 7, 2023 at 6:47 PM.
