Three officers were killed Thursday night when a man opened fire on police trying to serve a warrant at a home in Kentucky, authorities said. Four other people were injured at the scene in the rural, mountainous part of eastern Kentucky.
Friday from the Floyd County Sheriff’s Office identified two of the officers killed as Deputy William Petry and Prestonsburg Police Capt. Ralph Frasure. The third officer died of his injuries Friday and was identified Saturday by Kentucky State Police as Prestonsburg Police Officer Jacob Chaffins.
Meanwhile, three other officers were injured, state police said. Two remain hospitalized in stable condition and the third has been treated and released.
An emergency management official was also injured and a police dog was killed, according to an arrest citation. The injured official remained hospitalized Saturday, state police said.
Police arrested Lance Storz, 49, Thursday night.
Responding officers were met with “pure hell” when they arrived at the scene, Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt he told reporters Friday afternoon.
“They had no chance,” he said.
Storz used a rifle to fire several rounds at officers around his residence on Main Street in Allen, Kentucky, according to the citation.
Hunt said four deputies initially responded and then called for backup when they were shot. Officers at the scene were under fire for hours, Hunt said. He said Storz surrendered after negotiations that included members of Storz’s family.
Hunt said the deputies were serving a warrant issued related to a domestic violence situation. State police responded to the scene at 6:30 p.m., joining local officers who were already on the scene.
Storz was arraigned Friday morning by a Pike County judge. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of murdering a police officer and was jailed on $10 million bail. One of the charges was originally attempted murder of a police officer, but at the hearing, a judge said it was changed to murder. He also faces another charge of attempted homicide and assault of a service animal.
State police he said in a statement who are investigating the shooting.
Attorney General Daniel Cameron he said in a social media post Friday that he is “heartbroken to learn of the death of two law enforcement officers.”
“Our law enforcement showed unimaginable heroism and sacrifice last night in the face of evil,” Cameron said. said.
“This is another tough day for Kentucky as we mourn the loss of three brave officers and a K-9 who gave their lives while protecting the people of Floyd County,” said Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear , in a statement on Saturday. “Britain and I are asking the Commonwealth to join us in praying for the family and loved ones of Captain Ralph Frasure, Deputy William Petry and Officer Jacob Chaffins. Please stand together to honor these heroes and the his sacrifice, and we pray for a full recovery for the injured.”
