19-year-old Kentucky man in custody after shooting of two police officers

Published 2:46 pm Wednesday, November 20, 2024

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly shooting two Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) officers during a confrontation Tuesday night.

Jeremiah Thompson, of Louisville, was taken into custody early Wednesday at 1:18 a.m. and faces multiple charges, including first-degree assault and second-degree assault of a police officer, wanton endangerment, resisting arrest, and receiving stolen property.

The incident unfolded just after 8 p.m. in the 400 block of Roselane Street in the Smoketown neighborhood. Officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle with a broken window. Upon arrival, they found Thompson standing near the vehicle. After admitting to driving it, officers attempted to detain him, but Thompson resisted, leading to a struggle.

According to LMPD, as officers worked to subdue Thompson, he fired a round from a Glock 26 handgun. The bullet struck Thompson himself in the torso and arm, while also hitting Officer Brendan Koerner in the left leg and Officer Laxman Acharya in the right hand. A third officer involved in the scuffle was unharmed.

Thompson was transported to Jewish Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries before being booked at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections.

Officer Acharya, a three-year LMPD veteran, was treated and released Tuesday night. Officer Koerner, a six-year veteran, underwent surgery Wednesday for serious hand injuries and is recovering.

Thompson is scheduled for arraignment Thursday morning.

LMPD urges anyone with information about the case to contact the anonymous Crime Tip Hotline at 502-574-LMPD (5673) or submit tips online.