LMPD :: Louisville Metro Police Department
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KSP trooper killed in overnight chase, manhunt underway for suspect

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A manhunt is underway after a man shoots a KSP trooper after a high speed chase.

Police received the call around 11:30 p.m. Sunday night.

According to KSP Facebook, Joseph Ponder is identified as the trooper shot and killed in high speed chase.

The suspect has been identified 25 year old Joseph Johnson-Shanks of Missouri.

According to KSP the shooting and chase happened along I-24 extending from the Eddy Creek area to around Bells Creek.

The suspect fired several shots at the police cruiser. Those rounds hit Trooper Joseph Ponder and the vehicle several times.

Trooper Ponder was transported to Caldwell Medical Center in Princeton where he died.

Trooper Ponder was 31 years old from Rineyville, Kentucky. He was stationed at Post 1 after graduating from the Academy in January.

Police have some people detained. Although it's not known if they're suspects.

Police are actively searching for the suspect,25-year-old Joseph Johnson Shanks, he was last seen wearing dark clothing.

KSP is pinging the suspect's phone and concentrating their search along the Cumberland River,just west of I-24.

Lyon County Judge Executive Wade White issued a statement on the county's facebook page saying "the active shooter is on foot possibly with passengers. They're considered armed and dangerous. He asks people near mile-marker 49 on i-24 keep all doors and windows locked and call 911 for suspicious behavior."At this time I-24 is closed to all traffic to assist with the search. All eastbound and westbound traffic is halted with a detour established.

Multiple agencies are assisting with the investigation.

People along I-24 near and around mile-marker 49 may hear helicopters .

A detour is in place around the search area on I-24 via KY 93 between the KY 293 Eddyville-Princeton Exit 45 Interchange and the KY 193 Cadiz-Princeton Exit 56 Interchange.