Louisville Metro Police officers released the names of the two men who they say were involved in an armed robbery on the afternoon on July 2 which led to one of the men being wounded by gunfire from a Metro Police officer. Phillip W. Shaw and Andrew S. Armstrong, both 23, are in police custody and detectives say charges against the suspects are pending.
According to LMPD Chief Robert White, the incident started in the 1900 block of South Seventh Street when officers responded to an armed street robbery call at 3:40 p.m. Shortly after, White said officers spotted Shaw and Armstrong in a car on the 700 block of Iowa Avenue. It was an incident witnessed by Raymond Hibbs.
"All I seen is a red car coming down through and the police sirens and the lights going," said Hibbs.
White said when police surrounded the car, the driver hit one of the officers with the vehicle, bruising the officers' shoulder and rib. Officers fired shots at the car, striking one of the suspects in the shoulder. White said the suspect has non-life threatening injuries. Police did not say which of the men had been wounded.
"If the police is in danger and they fear for their life, the car is considered a deadly weapon and if they fear for their life they had a reason to shoot," Hibbs said.
White said the suspects fled and abandoned the car they were driving at Montana Avenue and Lillian Avenue where they were chased on foot after running from police.
"I got here when all the police were showed up at the same time," said Ronald Nelson describing the scene. "It was just like a mess."
White said officers did a thorough search to capture the suspects, who were finally taken into custody near Central Avenue and Taylor Boulevard.
"One was hiding behind a garage, was actually hiding inside a garage. The other one was hiding behind a car," said White, who also said a weapon was recovered at the scene.
The two officers fired their weapons at the suspects have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The names of the officers have not been released.