Kentucky State Police Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting in Johnson County

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (April 26, 2026) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has been requested by Post 9 Pikeville to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Sunday, April 26, 2026, around 2 a.m. EDT in Johnson County.

The preliminary investigation indicates that an officer from the Paintsville Police Department (PPD) was conducting a foot patrol when he observed a parked motorcycle on Main Street matching the description of one reported stolen earlier. A short time later, the officer encountered Mr. Shawn Gayheart, 37, of Salyersville, Ky. Mr. Gayheart fled on foot for a short distance before the officer caught up with him, at which point a physical altercation ensued.  A second PPD officer arrived on scene to assist and both officers deployed their tasers to attempt to gain control of Mr. Gayheart, but were unsuccessful. The officers then discharged their agency-issued firearms striking the suspect. Officers immediately rendered medical aid until EMS arrived. Mr. Gayheart was transported to the Pikeville Medical Center, where he remains in stable condition. Officers found a knife and firearm at the scene. The investigation 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 for completing investigations vary depending on the complexity of the case.

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