Get breaking news alerts and special reports. The news and stories that matter, delivered weekday mornings.
A man was shot dead in Louisville after police officers and the Kentucky National Guard “returned fire” while clearing a large crowd early Monday.
Louisville Metro Police Chief Steve Conrad said in a statement that at around 12:15 a.m. his officers and the National Guard were sent to a parking lot to break up a crowd.
“Officers and soldiers began to clear the lot and at some point were shot at,” Conrad said in a statement. “Both LMPD and National Guard members returned fire, we have one man dead at scene”
Let our news meet your inbox. The news and stories that matters, delivered weekday mornings. This site is protected by recaptcha
Conrad did not specify who fired the fatal shot, and authorities have not released information about the victim.
Live updates on George Floyd's death and protests around the country.
In a statement Monday morning, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said "LMPD and the Kentucky National Guard returned fire resulting in death" and said he has asked the Kentucky State Police to independently investigate the shooting. The governor's office did not immediately return NBC News' request for further clarification on who fired the fatal shot.
Statement from Governor Andy Beshear: pic.twitter.com/MyHxcE3Ntn — Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) June 1, 2020
Louisville police say they are interviewing “several persons of interests” and collecting video. The city was under a "dusk to dawn" curfew on Sunday night into Monday, beginning at 9 p.m.
Louisville has seen a weekend of protests, as the city mourns Breonna Taylor, 26, a black woman killed in her home in March by Louisville police who were executing a “no-knock” warrant targeting her former boyfriend. More than 40 people were arrested Sunday night, the city's fourth consecutive night of demonstrations, according to NBC Louisville affiliate WAVE.
Download the NBC News app for full coverage and alerts on this story
Last Thursday, seven people were shot in the city during protests that turned violent. Officers were not involved in the Thursday shootings, Police Sgt. Lamont Washington said at the time.
Kaitlin Rust, a reporter for WAVE, was on air on Friday when she yelled and said she was "getting shot" by rubber bullets or pepper bullets.
Gustafssonz on June 1st, 2020 at 14:28 UTC »
It's also funny about the whole thing surrounding Breonna Taylor. In my understanding you have the right to defend yourself with a gun if there is a break-in into your house? And this police force got a "no-knock" warrant to enter the building.
How in the world can this exist? When someone enter your house and you have the right to defend yourself by killing the police or they killing you. There will be death no matter what happend. It's insane!
WillLie4karma on June 1st, 2020 at 13:48 UTC »
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has asked the Kentucky State Police to independently investigate the shooting.
And so, the rioting continues
Vaperius on June 1st, 2020 at 12:18 UTC »
If this sort of incidents spreads...I wonder what they'll call this event in the history books?
Edit1: In semi-related news, this happened yesterday..