Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests

Two Louisville police officers were shot amid local protests hours after it was announced only one officer involved in the police killing of Breonna Taylor was indicted by a Kentucky grand jury.

Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) Chief Robert Schroeder confirmed the shooting in remarks to reporters Wednesday evening.

Schroeder said the officers were shot at roughly 8:30 p.m. as they were responding to a call downtown. Both officers, the police chief said, were receiving treatment at a hospital nearby and that a suspect was in custody.

“One is alert and stable. The other officer is currently undergoing surgery and stable. We do have one suspect in custody,” he added.

The FBI in Louisville tweeted earlier Wednesday evening that a SWAT team had responded to one officer being shot.

The incident occurred less than an hour before a countywide curfew that was set to start in the area in 9 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. the following morning.

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced the measure earlier on Wednesday in anticipation of Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron’s planned announcement in the case investigating the events that led up to the police killing of Taylor.

In a statement announcing the curfew, which will be in effect for 72 hours, Fischer urged residents “to commit once again to a peaceful, lawful response, like we’ve seen here for the majority of the past several months.”

Amid reports of Cameron’s expected announcement in the case on Tuesday, Fischer also signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency to prepare for potential protests in response to the announcement.

He also signed a second executive order on Tuesday that restricted access to parking garages in the downtown Louisville as another safety precaution, while LMPD Chief Robert Schroeder issued a state of emergency for the department to ensure it had adequate staffing amid potential protests.

The police shooting on Wednesday night came the same day a Kentucky grand jury indicted only one officer involved in the killing of Taylor, Brett Hankison, on charges not directly related to her death earlier. 

No charges were brought against the other two officers involved in the March shooting, Jonathan Mattingly and Myles Cosgrove, which means none of the three officers have been charged in the killing of Taylor.

President Trump weighed in on the shooting of police Wednesday night, tweeting that he was “praying” for the officers.

“Praying for the two police officers that were shot tonight in Louisville, Kentucky. The Federal Government stands behind you and is ready to help. Spoke to @GovAndyBeshear and we are prepared to work together, immediately upon request!” he tweeted.

Trump did not discuss Taylor’s death or the grand jury findings during a White House press briefing earlier on Wednesday, instead heaping praise on Cameron for his handling of the case, calling him a “star.”

Praying for the two police officers that were shot tonight in Louisville, Kentucky. The Federal Government stands behind you and is ready to help. Spoke to @GovAndyBeshear and we are prepared to work together, immediately upon request!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 24, 2020

— Updated at 11:10 p.m..