SUSPECT ARRESTED BY SWAT TEAM AFTER ‘LOCKDOWN’ AT OLIVE HILL, KSP SAYS

A Lewis County, KY man has been arrested in connection with a shooting that injured an Olive Hill KY city police officer in Carter County.

Olive Hill Police say a SWAT team arrested the man, identified as Wesley Cornell, 30, of Vanceburg, KY., just after 1:30 A.M. Tuesday morning along Laurel Creek Road, in Lewis County, KY.

That’s the area where a large police presence was seen late Monday night, and drivers were not allowed through.

The shooting happened around 3:15 Monday afternoon in a parking lot near the intersection of Cross and Railroad streets. Kentucky State Police Post 14 in Ashland, KY., stated that someone fired into the officer’s cruiser, and that the officer was injured by glass that burst in as a result of the gunshot. The officer had a non-life threatening arm injury and was flown to St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia.

According to KSP Post 14 trooper Bobby King, the officer is in stable condition.

“It’s a blessing, and we’re grateful for that,” Trooper King said.

He said the suspect vehicle was a 2008 white Pontiac Torrent SUV with Kentucky plates ACH811.

A shelter-in-place that was in place for several hours in western Carter County was lifted Monday evening after the shooting involving the Olive Hill Police officer. 

Businesses in downtown Olive Hill were placed on lockdown a couple hours following the shooting.

“Right now, there’s no threat to the public,” trooper Bobby King said.

However, at the time as of late Monday night, the suspect remained on the run.

After his arrest, Wesley Cornell was charged with:

*MURDER – POLICE OFFICER (ATTEMPT); and

*WANTON ENDANGERMENT-1ST DEGREE-POLICE OFFICER.

Wesley Cornell was taken to the Carter County Detention Center in Grayson, KY., and was booked at 3:10 A.M. He is currently being held on a $1,000,000 full cash bond only.