Letcher County man wounded in officer-involved shooting. Investigation underway

Kentucky State Police are investigating a trooper-involved shooting in Letcher County after a 25-year-old brandished a gun during a domestic dispute.

An unidentified Letcher County sheriff’s deputy and KSP trooper responded to a domestic disturbance with gunshots at a residence off KY-160 in Whitesburg around 7:40 p.m. Saturday, according to officials.

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) were requested by the Letcher County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) and KSP Post 13 Hazard to investigate the trooper-involved shooting.

Officers spoke to the caller and determined that Julian Smith, 25, of Jeremiah, was at the neighboring home.

When officers made contact with Smith, he fled into a nearby wooded area and brandished a pistol, according to investigators.

Officers discharged their agency-issued weapons, striking Smith, according to KSP.

Both officers provided medical aid until EMS arrived. Smith was transported to the Johnson City Medical Center, and is in stable condition.

The officers did not sustain any injuries during the incident.

Taylor Six

Lexington Herald-Leader

Taylor Six is the criminal justice reporter at the Herald-Leader. She was born and raised in Lexington attending Lafayette High School. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 2018 with a degree in journalism. She previously worked as the government reporter for the Richmond Register.