UPDATE: Third police officer has died in Floyd County shooting
49-year-old Lance Storz is in custody at the Pike County Detention Center
UPDATED STORY POSTED JULY 1, 2022 AT 11:00 P.M.
ALLEN, Ky. (WTVQ) – A third police officer has died in connection to a shootout in Floyd County on Thursday evening. According to the Prestonsburg Police Department, Canine Handler Jacob R. Chaffins has now died.
A post shared by the department says in part, “You have dedicated your short time on this earth to the service of the citizens of Prestonsburg and the Commonwealth as an EMT, Fire Fighter, and Police Officer. You further dedicated yourself to the security of our country as a valiant soldier. The lives you’ve saved since you even started policing are innumerable, and that’s how you gave your life – saving another. We will shine your light to Paisley and the world so long as we breathe. Rest yourself, we have the watch.”
Deputy William Petry and City Police Captain Ralph Frasure were also killed in the shootout, along with K9 Drago.
ALLEN, Ky. (WTVQ/PRESS RELEASE) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) continues to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Thursday, June 30, 2022, at approximately 6:44 p.m. EST in Floyd County.
The preliminary investigation by KSP has determined two law enforcement officers and one K-9 have been pronounced deceased after sustaining injuries from last night’s officer-involved shooting. Four other law enforcement officers have received injuries; three of which remain in the hospital. One of the officers is in critical condition, two officers are in stable condition and one officer was treated and released. Additionally, one civilian was injured during the incident and is receiving medical care at a hospital.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the commonwealth as requested by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. KSP is committed to being transparent while ensuring the integrity of the investigation. To protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation, it is KSP’s standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.
UPDATED STORY POSTED JULY 1, 2022 AT 2:53 P.M.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky has issued a statement regarding the deadly shooting in Floyd County.
Statement from U.S. Attorney Shier Regarding Floyd County Shooting:
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky is aware of the Floyd County shooting incident involving law enforcement, which occurred late yesterday and into the early morning hours of today. As the investigation of this incident progresses, we stand with our local and state law enforcement partners. We are offering our support and our federal resources to assist them in their investigation of this shooting. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragic event, especially the family members, friends, and colleagues of the law enforcement and first responders lost or injured.
UPDATED STORY POSTED JULY 1, 2022 AT 10:30 A.M.
ALLEN, Ky. (WTVQ) – The man arrested in connection to a fatal shooting spree Thursday night in Floyd County was in court Thursday morning, facing multiple murder and attempted murder charges.
According to an arrest report, 49-year-old Lance Storz was arrested just after 4:45 A.M. Friday and charged with two counts of murder of a police officer and one count of murder. He is also charged with five counts of attempted murder of a police officer, and one count of Assault, 1st Degree, on a service animal.
The arrest report says Storz is accused of using a rifle to fire multiple rounds at multiple police officers. The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) responded to the scene Thursday just before 7 p.m. EST.
KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the commonwealth as requested by local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. KSP continues to investigate.
Storz was booked in the Pike County Detention Center on a $10 million cash bond. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for July 11.
The victims have not yet been identified.
Gov. Beshear Tweeted out a statement Friday morning, saying, “Floyd County and our brave first responders suffered a tragic loss last night. I want to ask all of Kentucky to join me in praying for this community. This is a tough morning for our commonwealth.”
Floyd County and our brave first responders suffered a tragic loss last night. I want to ask all of Kentucky to join me in praying for this community. This is a tough morning for our commonwealth. ^AB
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) July 1, 2022
ABC 36 has a crew on-scene and will continue to update you with more information.
UPDATED STORY POSTED JULY 1, 2022 AT 7:10 A.M.
ALLEN, Ky. (WTVQ) – A man has been arrested in connection to a fatal shooting spree Thursday night in Floyd County.
According to Pike County Detention Center records, Lance Storz was arrested and is now booked in the Pike County Detention Center. He’s facing charges of murder of a police officer, murder, and 1st Degree Assault on a service animal.
According to ABC affiliate WCHS, Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt said deputies attempted to serve papers to an individual around 5 P.M. and were met with gunfire.
The Floyd County Coroner was on the scene for several hours Friday morning.
ABC 36 has a crew on-scene and will continue to update you with more information.
UPDATED STORY POSTED JULY 1, 2022 AT 3:50 A.M.
ALLEN, Ky. (WTVQ) – Multiple people were killed, including members of law enforcement, and several others injured after a shooting last night in eastern Kentucky, according to the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.
Both KSP and the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office responded to shots fired off KY Highway 1428 in Allen around 6:30 P.M. Thursday.
KSP says when officers arrived, it was an active shooter situation. ABC 36 does not have a confirmed number of deaths at this time, but we do know the Floyd County Coroner has been on the scene since 12:30 A.M. Investigators say both officers and civilians were injured.
Lexington Police say at least one person was transported from Floyd County to UK hospital in Lexington.
A dispatcher with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office says the sheriff was at a local hospital with the family of an officer who was badly hurt.
The Floyd County Sheriff’s Office posted to Facebook asking people to pray for those involved and the families suffering loss:
According to KSP, the shooter has been taken into custody and there is no danger to the public.
“There will be a strong police presence in this area for a considerable amount of time moving forward so we ask the public to avoid this area if at all possible,” said KSP trooper Matt Gayheart.
At this time, KSP says it doesn’t know why the man opened fire, but that the investigation is being led by the Critical Incident Response Team.
The Floyd County Coroner and Kentucky State Police say they’ll be releasing more information throughout the morning.
ABC 36 has a crew on-scene and will continue to update you with more information.
ORIGINAL STORY POSTED JUNE 30, 2022 AT 10:51 P.M.
ALLEN, Ky. (WCHS/WTVQ) — A shooting incident was reported by emergency crews in Floyd County Thursday evening. According to ABC affiliate WCHS, deputies said a suspect was in custody after multiple people were shot near Railroad Street in Allen, Kentucky.
Source: ATF Louisville
ATF Louisville said its’ Ashland and London offices responded to a shooting scene and armed barricaded person earlier this evening. ATF says Kentucky State Police is the point of contact and will release more information as it becomes available.
Gov. Andy Beshear issued a statement late Thursday night on social media, saying, “Tonight I ask the commonwealth to join Britainy and I in holding Floyd County in prayer, especially the family and loved ones of those who have responded to a barricade situation involving a shooting.”
According to WCHS, Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt said deputies attempted to serve papers to an individual around 5 p.m. and were met with gunfire. Hunt told WCHS that multiple people were injured in the incident.
This is a developing story. Check back with ABC36 for updates.
