Three Kentucky police officers and a police canine were killed and at least four other officers were hurt in a shootout at a home of what cops called a “terrorist on a mission.”
Lance Storz, 49, was taken into custody after an almost five hour standoff with officers who had showed up at his door in rural Prestonsburg with a warrant for his arrest in a domestic violence incident, according to reports.
Storz, who was armed with a rifle, opened fire and hit two officers in the Thursday evening incident, Kentucky State Police said.
Prestonsburg Police Capt. Ralph Frasure and Deputy William Petry were killed, along with one Sheriff’s K9 named Drago and a police department Canine Handler named Jacob Chaffins, authorities said.
The situation escalated quickly, as Storz barricaded himself inside the home with his wife and daughter and kept firing at responding officers, cops said.
Lance Storz was taken into custody after allegedly killing three officers and a police canine.AP
The deputies called for backup and several agencies responded, including state police, officers from neighboring counties and a SWAT team.
“They encountered … pure hell when they arrived. They had no chance,” Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt told reporters. Deputies had not even made contact with the suspected shooter when the gunfire began, he noted.
The shooter apparently had a plan and “pretty much executed that plan almost to precision,” Hunt said, adding it took several hours to figure out where the gunman was firing from.
Captain Ralph Frasure was also killed.
K9 handler Jacob Chaffins was also a victim.odmp.org
“(The suspect) was a sheer terrorist … he was just a terrorist on a mission,” the sheriff said.
Floyd County Attorney Keith Bartley said Friday morning: “These are human beings. These are people with children, spouses, moms and dads, their world will never be the same.”
The standoff ended with the suspect being taken into police custody, WMDJ reported. His wife and daughter were unharmed.
Deputy William Petry was identified as one of the slain officers.
The officers, including slain Chaffins, encountered “pure hell.”
Drago, a member of the K9 unit, was killed in the incident.
One deputy who took cover under a running patrol vehicle ended up with carbon monoxide poisoning.
Multiple officers from different agencies were shot and brought to local hospitals. Four to six officers were shot in total, according to local reports.
Storz, who is in jail in Pike County, is next due in court July 11.
Martha mark8 hours ago “Officers who had showed up at his door in rural Prestonburg with a warrant for his arrest” why not just stake out the home and wait for him to emerge? why put officers in such a vulnerable stance as standing on a porch with no protection? something in the procedures has to change.
- SOME COMMENTS ARE BELOW ON THIS STORY
Jack Tors7 hours ago I agree. I really don’t get why the police prefer to raid a home versus taking down someone outside. I get there are circumstances where it’s necessary like a barricaded suspect or where there is an imminent risk. However, it seems to create risk for all sides. What if you raid the wrong home and then that creates m,ore issues & further complicates things.
Chilli Palmer7 hours agoSounds good in hindsight, but agencies don’t have the manpower to have multiple officers spending all day waiting for someone to leave their homes so the can serve a warrant. This guy needs to be slowly fed into a wood chipper, feet first, on a hog farm…on live TV. And announce it will be the fate …See more
Metsmania9 hours agoTragic and utterly senseless. 3 law enforcement officers and a brave K-9 dead. This is hard to take. Condolences and prayers for these to there families. America is grateful for your service.
Kerry O’Brien-McMullen6 hours agoThis is so sad. Im praying for the families human officers and Drago, the K-9 officer as well. They all reunited in Heaven. The murderer will rot in hell. ‘SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL.’
Jo10 hours ago Don’t understand why with so much history of this domestic violence and like to include traffic stops where there is potential of open fire on police officers that Law Enforcement is not better prepared before they confront or go to the door having full body bullet proof protective gear on with the…See more
Ed A7 hours ago Not sure that a decision on their preparedness is appropriate until all of the facts are in. As a retired 36 year Police Officer, I know that all the preparation in the world sometimes means nothing.
ADD golfer9 hours ago The type of warrant had them prepare for a possible resist or scuffle? Three officers and a K-9. More will come out, but likely his history showed no indication of this level of violence. Had it, a 5am SWAT arrest would have been warranted.
