LOUISVILLE, Ky. — West Louisville neighbors are expressing rage after word surfaced about an FBI investigation into several Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) narcotics detectives throwing snow cones or slushies at houseless people in the neighborhood.

In a Metro Council committee meeting, Councilwoman Jessica Green (D-District 1) confronted LMPD Chief Erika Shields about the incident someone had brought to her attention.

They allege several officers threw slushy-type drinks at people panhandling in various areas of the West End. Shields said, and the FBI confirmed, there is an investigation to determine whether federal laws were violated.

The FBI told Spectrum News 1 there are little details beyond that available to share. Shields said two people implicated in the incident have been put on desk duty for the time being.

George Fields has lived in West Louisville almost his entire life. Fields is an activist with the Beacon Light of Hope Movement. That's why he feels he can speak for area residents when he says the people are fed up, and pushed to the limit. That's his initial reaction to the news about the alleged snow cone slushy incident.

"Why are the taxpayers still paying their money, I mean paying their bills for them?" Fields remarked about the officers moved to desk duty. "The question the community and I want to know is, why are these officers still being paid?"

The incident apparently happened in multiple locations, and may have occurred as far back as in 2020, according to Green. 

"My initial reaction was...d—. Not another one," Green said. "Every time there is movement forward, there is something else that comes up. And so you know, the utter kind of disrespect of people- this is but an example of it. It's an indication of why people have been particularly so enraged over the last year."

It's unclear whether there's a written report or complaint about the incident, or any video of what happened; we requested these records of LMPD, but were told the FBI Louisville is the custodian of any records.

The FBI was unable to release many details beyond this statement:

"FBI Louisville is aware of LMPD Chief Shields’ testimony, and we will confirm we are investigating whether these incidents violate federal law. FBI Louisville cannot comment on the specifics of our investigation; however, if anyone has relevant information related to these allegations, they should contact our office."

Shields admitted in the Wednesday night meeting the incident is not a good look. 

"My sense is, it will be another black eye to the department, and is gonna show some very poor judgment by a select few individuals at this department," she said.

Fields said it's sad to think officers would hit the most vulnerable people, as he refers to those without houses in the area: "it's like a bully mentality, you know. 'You can't do nothing about it. Who are you?'"

Now, he's concerned about the mounting anger neighbors and protesters have toward police.

"The young generation of today is not gonna keep on sitting back and letting this happen. Just, it's just that simple," he said.