SANDLICK, KY. — Martin County Coroner Chris Todd said while he was unsure how many times James Lee Howard, 36, was shot, but he was fatally shot in the head by a KSP trooper.
911 dispatchers got a call just after 11 P.M. for shots fired, and that it happened off of New Route 3, on Sandlick Road, near Davella in Martin County, Kentucky July 5.
Martin County Sheriff John H. Kirk stated that two Kentucky State Police troopers responded to the reported incident area, along with a Martin County deputy.
Sheriff Kirk says the suspect, a man, started shooting at police as soon as they arrived at the scene.
The officers involved in the shooting were not injured.
The suspect, however, was killed, according to Sheriff Kirk.
Martin County Coroner, Chris Todd confirmed to Hazard, KY. TV news station WYMT that he arrived at the scene around 1:30 A.M., in addition, Kentucky State Police Post 9 Public Affairs Officer Trooper Michael Coleman, told WYMT the scene is no longer active, but the investigation is ongoing.
Howard’s neighbor Austin Harless said the troopers “snuck behind Howard’s home and shot him after he fired his shotgun from the back of the inside of the home”.
My son was murdered. Shot 6 times in the back. They had no warrant. My son ask for one told them to leave. 4 different times. And John Kirk is a lier and KSP.trying to cover up a cold blooded murder My son never shot on arrival. I can prove that. And he had head trauma before the first shot !! So cos your out shooting a gun on the 4th that’s gives KSP the right to gun you down in the back. I don’t think so. And not one fire from my sons gun can be found. And it a shot gun. But there’s plenty proof. KSP shot up his home. WHY. He was alone on private property. They invaded and violeted my baby’s constitution rights. And murder him.