Knox County man arrested on attempted murder charge after early morning home invasion
A Knox County man accused in a home invasion early Monday faces charges of attempted murder and first-degree burglary, the Laurel County Sheriff’s said.
Joseph Collett, 26 from Gray, Kentucky, was arrested after law enforcement received a report of a shooting shortly after midnight. A 38-year-old male victim had been shot in the leg in his home, southeast of London, Kentucky, Laurel County Sheriff John Root said in a news release.
Collett allegedly shot and killed a dog on the victim’s front porch, forcibly entered the home, shot the victim in the leg and then fired several rounds inside the home.
A 4-year-old child was in the home, with gunfire “narrowly missing” the child, according to the sheriff. Another was child also in the home.
Collett then left the house, fired several more rounds into it and fled the scene. No other injuries were reported other than the homeowner, who was treated by emergency services on the scene and not transported for additional treatment. The incident is believed to be related to a domestic issue, the sheriff’s office said.
Knox County Sheriff’s deputies located and arrested Collett shortly after 3 a.m. He has been charged with attempted murder, first-degree burglary, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment and second-degree cruelty to animals, according to the sheriff’s office.
He is being held in the Laurel County Correctional Center.