BOONE COUNTY, Ky. — Authorities have identified the man who opened fire on two Boone County deputies during a warrant service before later taking his own life. Court records confirm the suspect as 39-year-old Justin Chapman.
The confrontation began Thursday evening when deputies arrived at Chapman’s Service Road residence around 9:30 p.m. to serve a warrant. According to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, just after 10 p.m. deputies entered the home, at which point Chapman began shooting. Two deputies were struck in the gunfire.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene. One deputy was airlifted to a nearby hospital due to the seriousness of their injuries, while the other was taken by ambulance. Both deputies are reported to be in stable condition as they continue to receive medical care.
Following the shooting, Chapman barricaded himself inside his apartment. Out of caution, law enforcement evacuated neighboring units, and a heavily armed SWAT team was deployed to contain the situation. The standoff stretched on for hours as officials worked to secure the scene.
Eventually, when officers made entry, Chapman was found deceased from what investigators say was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. No other individuals were injured in the incident.
The Boone County Sheriff’s Office has not released details about the warrant being served but emphasized the danger deputies face in the line of duty. The incident has also renewed discussions around mental health struggles and the unpredictable risks officers encounter when responding to potentially volatile situations.
Community members expressed relief that no neighbors were harmed, while also voicing concern for the deputies’ recovery. Officials have asked residents to keep the injured deputies and their families in their thoughts during this difficult time.
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