Three officers, one K-9 killed in Floyd County shooting

Published: Jun. 30, 2022 at 8:06 PM EDT|Updated: Jul. 2, 2022 at 8:16 PM EDT
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ALLEN, Ky. (WYMT) - Three officers and a K-9 were killed in Thursday’s shooting in Floyd County, according to officials.

The shooting happened on Main Street Thursday evening in the Allen community.

According to Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt, deputies were trying to serve a court-issued warrant in a domestic violence situation.

We were told the suspect, 49-year-old Lance Storz from Allen, started shooting when officers arrived.

Police said Storz used a rifle to fire multiple rounds at multiple police officers.

“Kentucky State Police Post 9 in Pikeville received a call for an officer assist for a shots-fired complaint,” said Matt Gayheart with Kentucky State Police. “They responded out here. That situation turned into an active shooter.”

Kentucky State Police (KSP) Troopers arrested Storz, and he was booked into jail just before 5 a.m. Friday.

An arrest citation from Kentucky State Police said eight people were shot.

The shooting resulted in three deaths and five injuries.

Despite online rumors, Floyd County Judge-Executive Robbie Williams confirmed this was “never a hostage situation”, and the woman and child who lived at the home were not at home at the time of the incident.

Lance Storz appeared virtually in Floyd County District Court Friday morning.

Storz faces multiple charges, including one count of murder of a police officer, one count of...
Storz faces multiple charges, including one count of murder of a police officer, one count of attempted murder of a police officer and another count of attempted murder. He is also charged with assaulting a service animal.(WSAZ/ Pike County Detention Center)

Storz was represented by public defenders, and his lawyers entered a not guilty plea.

He faces multiple charges, including two counts of murder of a police officer and two additional counts of attempted murder. He is also charged with assaulting a service animal. His bond was set at $10 million cash, and his preliminary hearing is Monday, July 11 at 1:30 p.m.

On Friday afternoon, Sheriff John Hunt released the names of two officers who were killed in the shooting.

Deputy William Petry was a 31-year law enforcement veteran. He served two years with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office, 15 years with Kentucky State Police, and 14 years with Prestonsburg Police Department.

City Police Captain Ralph Frasure was a 39-year law enforcement veteran. He served with the Prestonsburg Police Department since 1983.

K-9 Drago was also killed in the shooting. Drago, a German Shepherd drug detection canine, was a six-year veteran with the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office.

Friday night, officials with the Prestonsburg Police Department confirmed a third officer died from Thursday’s shooting.

Jacob R. Chaffins died from his injuries.

Chaffins was a three-year law enforcement veteran. He served the the Prestonsburg Police Department since 2019.

Three Officers Killed in Floyd County Shooting
Three Officers Killed in Floyd County Shooting(WYMT)

Governor Andy Beshear released the following statement on Saturday:

A procession was held on Friday as the bodies of Deputy Petry and Captain Frasure were returned home from Frankfort.

On Saturday, hundreds of community members and first responders lined the highway as the body of Officer Chaffins was returned home.

Procession for Officer Chaffins
Procession for Officer Chaffins(Jordan Mullins)

Sheriff John Hunt released the names of the injured officials on Saturday.

Deputy Darrin Lawson, Constable Gary Wolfe and Floyd County Emergency Director Joe Reynolds were injured during the shooting.

According to KSP, two of the injured officials remain in the hospital, but they are in stable condition.

One officer was treated and released from the hospital.

There is a growing memorial outside Prestonsburg City Hall and the Floyd County Courthouse honoring the three officers and K-9 who died.

A memorial grows outside Prestonsburg's City Hall honoring two fallen officers.
A memorial grows outside Prestonsburg's City Hall honoring two fallen officers.(WSAZ)
A memorial sits outside the Floyd County Courthouse honoring Deputy William Petry and K-9...
A memorial sits outside the Floyd County Courthouse honoring Deputy William Petry and K-9 Officer Drago.(WSAZ)

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