PRESTONBURG, Ky. — Multiple law enforcement agencies appeared at a news conference in Prestonsburg Sunday to provide more details about the shooting Friday where three officers were killed.
Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt went through the details of how officers were called to the home of Lance Stortz. The sheriff’s department received a call telling them Stortz’s wife was being held against her will and was only able to send a message because Stortz was asleep. The woman who called identified herself as a relative of Stortz’s wife. Two deputies went to the Stortz home and found a woman waiting for them. It was Stortz’s wife. She told the deputies he was asleep, and it was the only reason she could escape.
The deputies got her to safety and got more information about what she claimed had been happening. She made several allegations of abuse, including rape. She told the sheriff’s deputies her husband had guns in the house, but she didn’t say how many he had. After hearing her story, the deputies determined there was cause to get an emergency protective order put in place. Four deputies returned to Stortz’s house to serve him with the EPO.
Hunt told reporters, Stortz could see officers approaching his home from a window. When officers got close, that is when they say he began shooting. One of deputies got to his radio to call for help and that’s when the various agencies went out to help at the scene.
Sheriff’s deputy, William Petry, Prestonsburg Police Capt. Ralph Frasure and police officer Jacob Chaffins were killed in the shooting. Four other officers were injured and a K-9, Drago, also died. Hunt said in the news conference that others were also hurt from flying glass and debris, but the injuries were minor.
Stortz eventually surrendered. He was arraigned in Pike County on Friday morning, where he pleaded not guilty and was jailed on a $10 million cash bond. He is charged with murder and assault on a service animal.
Visitation and funerals for the officers began Sunday and will take place through Thursday, July 7.