Police clear KY Expo Center following reports of ‘active aggressor.’ No shots fired
The Louisville Metro Police Department is asking the public to avoid the area of the Kentucky Exposition Center Sunday after reports of an “active aggressor.”
Police reported a heavy presence there around 3:30 p.m. July 13 after reports of a threat, and a second report at amusement park Kentucky Kingdom. No victims had been found, and no shots were fired, LMPD said in a follow-up post on X, formerly Twitter.
“We are aware of a report of an “Active Aggressor” on the property of the Fairgrounds/@KyVenues in #Louisville. At this time, there are NO victims found yet. Please avoid the area due to a heavy police presence,” the department posted on X.
In a briefing Sunday evening, an LMPD officer told media police, fire and emergency medical crews responded to the exposition center around 3:17 p.m. that afternoon and “quickly determined there was no threat, they located no victims and there was no shots fired.”
The second call, this time for Kentucky Kingdom, came through while police were on-site in the exposition center, and responding officers determined that report of a threat was also “false.”
An exodus from the expo center and the park created traffic in the area as both the center and the amusement park were cleared, LMPD reported. A few people received minor injuries fleeing.
“Louisville Metro Police Department received a report of a possible active aggressor on-site at the Kentucky Exposition Center. We are deeply thankful that initial reports indicate no one was harmed. The facility remains closed at this time,” Kentucky Venues President and CEO David Beck said in a statement.
“We are grateful for the swift and coordinated response from Louisville Metro Police Department, our on-site personnel, and public safety officials across the city. Their immediate action to search and secure the building ensured the safety of everyone on our campus,” he continued.
An event taking place at the expo center, Run 4 Roses, was suspended for the remainder of the day, and the expo center was not permitting reentry.
“Out of an abundance of caution, all athletes and spectators have been cleared from the venue,” event organizers said.
The response to potential threats in Louisville came hours after two people were killed and three others injured, including a Kentucky State trooper, in a pair of shootings at Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport and Richmond Road Baptist Church. The suspect in that incident was killed by police.
“LMPD understands that people are on high alert after the incident today in Lexington with the officer, the trooper, and the church. We understand you’re on high alert about that. Our homeland security unit will be conducting an investigation into exactly this incident occurred,” the briefing officer said.
This story was originally published July 13, 2025 at 4:40 PM.