‘THEY HAD NO LUCK’: 3 Kentucky cops killed by rifle-wielding suspect

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ALLEN, Ky. — Three law enforcement officers were killed and five injured in eastern Kentucky when a gunman opened fire on officers attempting to execute a warrant, reports announced the authorities.

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Police took Lance Storz, 49, into custody late Thursday night after an hour-long confrontation at a home in Allen, a small town in the hills of Appalachia.

An emergency management official was also injured and a police dog was killed, according to the arrest citation.

Responding officers encountered « pure hell » when they arrived at the scene, Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt told reporters Friday afternoon.

« They had no chance, » he said.

Hunt said four deputies responded first, then called for reinforcements when they were shot. The sheriff said Storz turned himself in after negotiations that included his family members. Hunt had told local media that the deputies were serving a court-issued warrant on Thursday night relating to a domestic abuse situation.

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Hunt said one of his deputies, William Petry, and Prestonsburg Police Captain Ralph Frasure were killed in the shooting. Frasure worked 39 years in law enforcement in Floyd County. Another Prestonsburg officer, Jacob Chaffins, has died after being hospitalized, the police department said in a social media post Friday evening.

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 the attempted murder of a police officer, but a judge told the hearing that was turned into murder. He also faces another charge of attempted murder and assault on a service animal.

Few details were available on Friday. State police had said in a brief statement that they were investigating a shooting involving an officer.

« This is a tough morning for our Commonwealth, » Governor Andy Beshear said in a social media post Friday morning. “Floyd County and our brave first responders suffered a tragic loss last night. I want to ask all of Kentucky to join me in praying for this community.

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron said on social media that he was heartbroken at news of the officers’ deaths.

« Our law enforcement showed unimaginable heroism and sacrifice last night in the face of evil, » he said.