Lawrence County Man Shot by KSP Trooper; Ignored Commands to Drop the Gun

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

A Lawrence County man is dead after police say he pointed a gun at Kentucky State Troopers during an attempt to serve an arrest warrant Saturday, Nov. 29, just before midnight.

Timothy Keeton, 69, of Martha, was shot by a trooper from Post 14 at 11:45 p.m.  

According to a press release from Sherry Bray, Public Relations for KSP a preliminary investigation indicated that troopers were attempting to locate a female who had active arrest warrants for an assault charge.

Troopers received information that the female was located at a residence on KY-1715 in Martha. When the trooper’s arrived they were confronted by Mr. Keeton from an unrelated neighboring residence.

Keeton told the troopers to turn their lights off, or he would shoot them out then went back into his residence and returned with a firearm. Troopers ordered him to put the firearm down.

However, Keeton raised the firearm in the direction of the troopers, resulting in the troopers discharging their agency-issued firearms, striking him. Troopers immediately rendered lifesaving aid, but despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries.

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has been requested by KSP Post 14 Ashland to investigate a trooper-involved shooting.

No other injuries were reported as a result of this incident.