PHELPS, Ky. (August 01, 2016) - In the morning hours of Sunday, July 31, 2016, KSP Troopers from Post 09, Pikeville responded to an assault complaint in the Phelps community of Pike County.
The investigation into the assault led Troopers to a residence on Phillips Branch Road in Phelps. At the residence, Troopers located Lacy Wolford, 40 of Phelps, and John Casey, 32 of Phelps. Troopers determined that both individuals had active arrest warrants.
Both Wolford and Casey fled from officers on foot. Once located, Casey confronted one of the Troopers and made threats to the officer. Casey retrieved a rock, striking the Trooper in the face, causing injury. Casey then retrieved a silver object from his pocket.
The Trooper fired his weapon in response to Casey's actions. Casey was struck by the gunfire and suffered fatal injuries from the gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Pike County Coroner, Ernie Casebolt. Casey's body was sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.
During the course of the investigation into the shooting, it was discovered that the silver object Casey attempted to retrieve from his pocket was a beer can.
This incident remains under investigation by Kentucky State Police Lieutenant James Catron.
Lacy Wolford was later located. Wolford was arrested and charged with:
Wolford was lodged in the Pike County Detention Center.
Photo of the accused courtesy of the Pike County Detention Center.
