‘Retaliation.’ Photo of gun aimed at police cruiser with school in background under probe.

A photo circulating on social media that shows a gun pointing at a Nicholasville police cruiser with a school in the background and including the word “retaliation” is under investigation, Nicholasville Police Sgt. Kevin Grimes said Friday.

Nicholasville police announced Friday night that they had obtained arrest warrants charging Kristopher M. Cole, 19, with first-degree wanton endangerment and second-degree terroristic threatening.

Police asked that anyone who knows Cole’s whereabouts to call them at 859-885-9467.

“We found this thing circulating on social media late last night,” Grimes said earlier in the day. “Our detectives are trying to determine if they can come up with an identity.”

Although there’s a high school in the background of the photo, Grimes said, “I can tell you (the threat) was toward law enforcement and not toward the school.”

In a post on Facebook Friday morning, Nicholasville Police Department officials said, “We take the safety and security of all citizens seriously and will take precautions to make sure that everyone remains safe. We are currently investigating this incident and will post additional information if it becomes available.”

Several people responded to the police department’s post offering prayers and support.

This story was originally published January 24, 2020 at 2:31 PM.