KENTUCKY — Kentucky State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that left a suspect dead and a sheriff’s deputy in critical condition Thursday afternoon.
According to authorities, the incident happened around 5 p.m. at a residence along KY-365 in Sturgis. Deputies from the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office and staff with the Kentucky Department of Community Based Services were at the home to serve emergency guardianship paperwork.
Officials said gunfire was exchanged during the encounter between law enforcement and 60-year-old Ronnie Phillips. Phillips was fatally wounded.
Crittenden County Sheriff’s Deputy Rick Coyle was shot during the incident. Emergency responders airlifted him to Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville, where he remains in critical condition.
Authorities said a female victim was safely removed from the residence during the incident. No other injuries were reported.
The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team is leading the investigation. Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including sheriff’s offices from Caldwell, Livingston and Union counties, along with the Marion Police Department and the Crittenden County Coroner’s Office.
Officials said no additional details will be released until witnesses are interviewed and the investigation progresses.
