“Two Louisville Metro Police Shootings: A Fatal Hostage Situation and an Escalated Traffic Stop”

Accident – death – Obituary News : A Tragic Series of Events: LMPD Releases Footage of Two Louisville Metro Police Shootings in December

In a shocking turn of events, two separate incidents involving Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) shootings occurred within a week of each other in December. These incidents, which resulted in fatal consequences, have sparked outrage and raised questions about police tactics and use of force. On Friday, LMPD released footage of the incidents captured by officers’ body-worn cameras, shedding light on the events that unfolded. The release of this footage is part of an effort to conduct a thorough investigation and provide transparency to the public.

The first incident took place on December 8th, around 9:15 p.m., near Fourth Street and Central Avenue. LMPD Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey provided details of the events leading up to the shooting, stating that officers were monitoring a nearby lot for a known suspect when they observed a 28-year-old man, later identified as Marvin Smith, entering and exiting a store with a handgun. The officers also witnessed Smith engaging in what they suspected to be a narcotics transaction. When Smith got into a car and drove away, the officers followed him and eventually stopped his vehicle near Fourth and Central, close to Churchill Downs.

Upon being stopped, Smith fled from the vehicle, prompting officers to give chase. Body camera footage captured by the officers shows Smith holding what appears to be a handgun with an attached extended magazine as he runs. Throughout the pursuit, officers repeatedly urged Smith to drop the weapon. However, when Smith pointed the gun in the direction of the officers, Sgt. Joshua Arnwine, a member of LMPD since 2016, fired his weapon in response. Smith was struck by the initial gunfire and fell to the ground. Despite being told to surrender, Smith appeared to raise the weapon at the officers, leading Sgt. Arnwine to fire again, ultimately subduing him. Smith attempted to flee briefly but was quickly apprehended by the police, who immediately began providing medical treatment. Smith was later treated at the University of Louisville Hospital before being booked at Louisville Metro Corrections on various charges, including fleeing from the police. It was later discovered that Smith’s gun had a round loaded in the chamber, adding to the complexity and danger of the situation.

Following LMPD policy, Sgt. Arnwine has been placed on administrative leave while an investigation into the incident is conducted. This measure ensures a fair and impartial examination of the events leading to the shooting.

The second incident occurred on December 14th, around 8:45 p.m., when LMPD officers responded to a report of a suspect, identified as Kenneth Clark, pointing a gun at people in a house located in the 400 block of North 25th Street. The caller expressed concerns that Clark, a 30-year-old individual, was under the influence of narcotics. Deputy Chief Humphrey acknowledged that LMPD has yet to verify the caller’s claim. Body camera footage captured by the officers shows them communicating with individuals inside the house and learning that Clark had three people held captive upstairs.

According to Deputy Chief Humphrey, Clark had recently been released from prison and believed that one of the hostages, a 23-year-old man, was “setting him up.” One of the hostages, whose identity has not been disclosed, was allowed to leave the room and informed the police that Clark had a gun pointed at the 23-year-old’s head. The hostage also reported that Clark was in a volatile and irrational state, expressing a willingness to die and a readiness to harm both the victim and the police officers. Officers were able to listen in on a FaceTime call with a female hostage, further confirming the severity of the situation, as Clark refused to let the 23-year-old man leave.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, LMPD’s SWAT Team was called to the scene. However, before their arrival, the situation escalated rapidly. As officers moved up the stairs, a heated argument can be heard on the body camera footage. Clark, attempting to close the window blinds in the room, engaged in a muffled dispute with the hostages. Deputy Chief Humphrey explained that phrases such as “I’m going to sacrifice you” or “I love you, I love everybody” indicated that immediate action needed to be taken to save the hostage’s life.

A group of officers forcefully entered the room, kicking the door open. Unfortunately, the body camera footage does not provide a clear view of the shooting. Due to the positioning of the camera on the officer’s chest, it does not capture everything that the officer witnessed at that moment, Deputy Chief Humphrey clarified. The narration of events is based on the current understanding of the police, and the investigation is still ongoing.

According to LMPD, the first shot heard in the footage was allegedly fired by Clark, striking the 23-year-old hostage in the head. In response, officers returned fire with three to five shots. At this time, it remains unclear whether Clark fired any shots during this exchange. Two officers, Shaine Edmondson and Jeffrey Goldman, who graduated from the police academy this year and are part of LMPD’s First Division patrol, fired their weapons at the scene. The last three shots heard in the footage are believed to have come from Clark inside the room. Deputy Chief Humphrey stated that Clark was hit by the police gunfire, sustaining a gunshot wound to his head. The investigation is ongoing to determine whether the wound was self-inflicted or caused by an officer.

Clark was transported to the University of Louisville Hospital, where he remains in critical condition as of Friday. Two guns were found and confiscated from Clark’s possession immediately after the shooting. The 23-year-old hostage, tragically, was struck by one of the rounds fired by LMPD, but Deputy Chief Humphrey emphasized that the fatal injury had already been inflicted by Clark.

Following the cessation of gunfire, the female hostage managed to escape from the room unharmed. Deputy Chief Humphrey acknowledged the difficult decisions the officers were forced to make in a rapidly evolving and tense situation. Saving the hostage’s life was their top priority, and sadly, it is a somber day when a life is lost in such circumstances.

The release of the body camera footage and the ongoing investigation aim to provide transparency and accountability. LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel expressed the importance of conducting a thorough investigation while being respectful to the affected families. These incidents have sparked a larger conversation about police tactics, use of force, and the measures necessary to ensure the safety of both officers and civilians.

For any additional information, please contact reporter Rachel Smith at rksmith@courierjournal.com or follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter..