Letcher County Man in Custody Following a Barricade
WHITESBURG, Ky. (May 15, 2026) — One man is in custody following a lengthy standoff with Kentucky State Police (KSP) troopers. KSP received the call at 4:12 a.m. EST on Friday, May 15, 2026, regarding a domestic violence assault on Buck Road in the Whitesburg community of Letcher County.
Upon arriving at the scene, troopers determined that the individuals involved in the domestic dispute had fled to a neighboring residence. When troopers attempted to make contact at the residence, a male subject barricaded himself inside with several other individuals and refused to exit the home.
Following a brief standoff, one male and two female subjects exited the residence and informed troopers that Dusty Shell, 36, of Emmalena, remained inside the home armed with a firearm along with another male subject.
Troopers secured the perimeter and requested assistance from the KSP Special Response Team (SRT). Upon arrival of SRT on scene, negotiations were conducted successfully, and Shell surrendered without incident.
Shell was transported and lodged into the Letcher County Jail where he was charged with Assault 2nd Degree (Domestic Violence), Terroristic threatening 2nd Degree and Parole Violation charges.
Additionally, Amy Griffith, 45, of Hindman, was arrested and lodged in the Letcher County Jail on an unrelated out-of-state warrant.
This incident remains under investigation by Trooper Marcus Prater.
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