OWENSBORO, KY (January 14, 2025) – On Dec. 21, 2024, Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 16 in Henderson was requested by the Owensboro Police Department (OPD) to investigate an officer-involved shooting in the city limits of Owensboro. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
The preliminary investigation indicates that officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at a residence on Orchard Street, where they encountered 21-year-old Marcello C. Johnson, Jr. of Owensboro inside the home. Mr. Johnson was in the kitchen of his sister's residence holding a knife, refusing to leave and making threats toward his sister and her children.
After several verbal commands to drop the knife that Mr. Johnson did not comply with and to protect those inside the residence, Owensboro Police Officer Michael Cory Johnson, 33, and Sergeant Anthony Williams, 49, both of Owensboro, discharged their agency issued firearms, striking Mr. Johnson and resulting in injuries to the suspect. He was transported to Owensboro Health for treatment and has since been released.
Mr. Johnson is being held at the Daviess County Detention Center in Owensboro, facing charges of Assault 4th Degree – Domestic Violence, Menacing, Unlawful Imprisonment 1st Degree, and Resisting Arrest.
Officer Michael Cory Johnson has been with the Owensboro Police Department for six years, while Sergeant Anthony Williams has served for 16 years.
KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the commonwealth as requested by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. KSP is committed to being transparent while ensuring the integrity of the investigation. To protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation, it is KSP's 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.
Original Release:
OWENSBORO, Ky. (December 21, 2024) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 16 - Henderson has been requested by the Owensboro Police Department (OPD) to investigate an officer-involved shooting in the city limits of Owensboro. KSP Post 16 was contacted just after 4:00 a.m. CST regarding the incident in the 500 block of Orchard Street. Troopers and detectives responded to the location and are currently processing the scene.
The preliminary investigation indicates multiple OPD officers responded to a 911 call of a disturbance. During the encounter, a male individual at the residence had a knife and was threatening officers and others in the house. Multiple OPD officers fired their agency-issued firearm, striking the individual. The man sustained injuries and life-saving measures were performed on-scene. He was transported to Owensboro Health ICU, where he is in critical but stable condition. No other injuries were reported.
OPD is investigating the disturbance/domestic violence call, and KSP troopers are investigating the officer-involved shooting.
KSP has statewide jurisdiction and investigates officer-involved shootings throughout the Commonwealth as requested by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. KSP is committed to being transparent while ensuring the integrity of the investigation. To protect the integrity of an ongoing investigation, it is KSP's standard operating procedure not to release specific details until vital witnesses have been interviewed and pertinent facts have been gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.
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