Officers Injured, Suspect Killed After Gun Struggle at Crisis Center
A man was killed in an altercation at a mental health crisis center in Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Wednesday.
Two Bowling Green police officers were injured after the suspect seized an officer’s gun and opened fire, Kentucky State Police (KSP) said.
The officers were responding to a call at 4:30 a.m. from the LifeSkills Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit, where an individual was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis.
Officers attempted to assist the man, but the situation escalated when he “became combative, attempted to disarm one of the officers and was able to gain control of a weapon,” KSP said in a statement.
A stock photo of the town square in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where a man was killed in an altercation at a mental health crisis center on November 6.
Jacqueline Nix/Getty Images
As the suspect fired in the direction of the officers, both suffered apparent gunshot wounds. One of the officers then fired back, striking the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene by the Warren County Coroner’s Office, according to KSP’s Critical Incident Response Team.
“This information is based on the preliminary investigation into this incident and could be subject to change through the course of the ongoing investigation as investigators interview vital witnesses and gather pertinent facts,” the statement read.
Both officers were treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and were released later that day. The names of the officers and the deceased man have not been made public.
LifeSkills Inc. Statement on the Case
In a statement, LifeSkills Inc.—a service with 26 locations across the U.S. dealing with disabilities, mental illness and addiction—acknowledged the incident and clarified that services at the ACSU would be suspended for the remainder of that day.
“Earlier this morning there was an incident at the Adult Crisis Stabilization Unit (ACSU) involving the Bowling Green Police Department,” LifeSkills said.
“ACSU building will not be available for services for the remainder of the day. All other LifeSkills services and supports will be available. The Kentucky State Police are handling the investigation. We are fully cooperating with that investigation and accordingly, can have no additional comment at this time.”
The state police were called in to investigate by the Bowling Green Police Department shortly after the incident.
“KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the commonwealth as requested by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies,” KSP explained.
When Will Further Details Be Released?
As part of standard operating procedures, the agency stated that they are committed to “being transparent while ensuring the integrity of the investigation” and that specific details will not be released until all vital witnesses have been interviewed and all relevant facts gathered.
The Warren County Coroner’s Office and Med-Com EMS assisted at the scene, according to KSP’s statement.
Detective Allen Shirley of KSP Post 3 confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that further updates will be provided as new information is verified.
Newsweek has contacted the Kentucky State Police for further comment.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.