UPDATE: Kentucky State Police Investigating Trooper-Involved Shooting in Harrison County
***UPDATE ***
FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 8, 2022) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team and KSP Post 6, Dry Ridge, continue the investigation into a trooper-involved shooting that occurred on Jan. 28th at approximately 4:16 p.m. EST in Cynthiana.
KSP Critical Incident Response Team, with the assistance of KSP Post 6 detectives, have conducted all necessary interviews of vital witnesses and officers involved. At this time, KSP is able to release findings from the preliminary investigation, which reveals that on Jan. 28 at approximately 4:16 p.m. EST Trooper Michael Sanguigni II was on patrol duty in Cynthiana when he observed suspicious activity at an apartment complex near Delta Court. He learned that the involved vehicle’s registered owner, Leequan T. Taylor, had a suspended driver’s license. After visually identifying that Mr. Taylor was the vehicle operator, Trooper Sanguigni conducted a traffic stop to further investigate. During the encounter, Trooper Sanguigni confirmed the identity of Mr. Taylor, and observed drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Trooper Sanguigni attempted to detain Mr. Taylor, who then presented a firearm and proceeded to point it in the direction of and fire multiple shots at Trooper Sanguigni. Trooper Sanguigni was struck six times resulting in serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Trooper Sanguigni used his agency-issued firearm to return fire. Mr. Taylor was uninjured and fled the scene in his vehicle; he was later located in Lexington, and taken into custody without incident.
In accordance with KSP policies and procedures, Trooper Sanguigni was placed on administrative leave; he is a two-year veteran of the agency and continues to recover from his injuries.
The following agencies were instrumental in assisting KSP throughout this incident: KSP Post 6 Dry Ridge, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Cynthiana Police Department, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Lexington Police Department, KSP Post 12 Frankfort,
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), United States Secret Service and University of Kentucky Police.
The investigation remains ongoing by the KSP Critical Incident Response Team and Post 6.
Previous News Release below:
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan 29, 2022) – The trooper involved in the Harrison County incident has been released from the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital and is recovering at home.
Preliminary investigation indicates that the trooper was struck six times and three of those shots were stopped by his ballistic vest. One shot struck his agency issued taser, one struck his body-worn radio, and the final round struck his body causing serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
The Kentucky State Police would like to thank the Harrison County Sherriff’s Office and the Cynthiana Police Department, who were inadvertently left off the recent update.
The investigation remains ongoing by the KSP Critical Incident Response Team.
Previous News Release below:
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 29, 2022) – The suspect in this investigation is LeeQuan T. Taylor, age 22 of Lexington. He was charged with assault first-degree, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and attempted murder of a police officer. He is lodged at the Bourbon County Regional Detention Center.
The trooper involved was treated overnight at the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital and is expected to be released soon.
The Kentucky State Police would like to thank all the agencies involved in the successful apprehension of this suspect, including Lexington Police Department, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), United States Secret Service and University of Kentucky Police.
“I can’t thank these agencies enough for their support and effort last night,” said KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. “They are a true representation of Kentucky law enforcement working together to safeguard the commonwealth. Additionally, I want to personally commend the medical staff at Harrison Memorial Hospital and The University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital for their expert care of our trooper and compassion displayed to him, his family, and our staff. Our agency is humbled by the outpouring of calls, prayers and concern from the citizens we serve daily.”
The investigation remains ongoing by the KSP Critical Incident Response Team.
Previous News Release below:
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2022) – The suspect in this investigation is LeeQuan T. Taylor, age 22 of Lexington. He was charged with assault first-degree, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and attempted murder of a police officer. He is lodged at the Bourbon County Regional Detention Center.
Previous News Release below:
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2022) – At approximately 10:04 p.m. EST on Friday, January 28, 2022, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 12 and Lexington Police Department units located and arrested the suspect involved in the Harrison County trooper-involved shooting.
The investigation remains ongoing by the KSP Critical Incident Response Team.
Original News Release below:
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 28, 2022) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team is investigating a trooper-involved shooting that occurred on Jan. 28 at approximately 4:16 p.m. EST in Cynthiana.
The preliminary investigation indicates that KSP Post 6 Dry Ridge dispatch center received notification of a trooper-involved shooting. An officer with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife arrived at the scene and transported the trooper to Harrison Memorial Hospital. Shortly thereafter, the trooper was transported to the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital, where he is in stable condition.
The KSP Critical Incident Response Team 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.
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