Holly MatkinFlatwoods, KY – A Flatwoods police officer was shot while responding to a report of a suspicious person early Monday morning.
The incident occurred at an apartment/townhome complex on East Street off of Walnut Street at approximately 2:40 a.m. on May 2, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Trooper Shane Goodall told The Daily Independent.
Details regarding what transpired between the officer and the suspect prior to the shooting have not been released.
The suspect fled the scene, leading to a massive multi-agency manhunt, WCHS reported.
“Pretty much every agency in the area” responded to help, Trooper Goodall told The Daily Independent.
A KSP helicopter was also dispatched to assist in the manhunt, WCHS reported.
KSP, which is leading the investigation, released security footage of the suspect in an effort to help identify him, according to The Daily Independent.
Meanwhile, the wounded officer was rushed to a local hospital, where he was taken into emergency surgery, WCHS reported.
The extent of the officer’s injuries has not been released, but the officer was listed in stable condition after surgery, according to the KSP.
Police located the alleged gunman near a Doller General store in Flatwoods shortly before 7:30 a.m., WSAZ reported.
He attempted to escape again by running away on foot, but was subdued after being tased, the KSP told WCHS.
Police later identified him as Jonathan Smithers.
Smithers was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated, WCHS reported.
It is unclear what charges he may face.
A motive for the attack has not been released.
BREAKING: An urgent manhunt is underway for a shooting suspect after a Flatwoods, KY police officer was shot while responding to a disturbance call. I just got off the phone with Kentucky State Police, who say it happened around 2:40 am in the Walnut St. area @wchs8fox11 pic.twitter.com/rkwqImiYi1
— Lauren Talotta (@LaurenTalottaTV) May 2, 2022
#BREAKING A manhunt is underway for a man police say shot a Flatwoods Police Officer overnight.
There’s a heavy police presence near Walnut Street and Argillite Road, with several police cruisers canvassing the area and now a helicopter assisting as well. pic.twitter.com/E0HVt73MPv— Shannon M. Litton (@ShannonLittonTV) May 2, 2022
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