KSP releases update on fatal shooting in Floyd County

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

PRESTONSBURG — The Kentucky State Police released an update on the KSP Critical Response Team investigation of an officer-involved fatal shooting earlier this month in Floyd County.

Findings of the probe revealed that KSP Trooper Billy Ball conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 23 in Prestonsburg on Feb. 3 after locating a vehicle matching the description of one involved in an alleged domestic violence incident, a KSP release said.

During the traffic stop, the vehicle’s operator and sole operators, Glenn Bays, attempted to retrieve a firearm from the vehicle’s interior, the release said, and Ball used his agency-issued firearm to “stop Bay’s actions, protecting the passing vehicles and himself.”

Bays was pronounced dead at the scene.

In accordance with KSP policies and procedures, Ball, a three-year veteran assigned to Post 9 in Pike-ville, has been placed on administrative leave, the release said.

“KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the commonwealth as requested by local law enforcement agencies. KSP is committed to being transparent while ensuring the integrity of the investigation,” the release said. “To protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation, it is KSP standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.”