BROOKSVILLE, Ky. (Sept. 10, 2025) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 6 Dry Ridge has been requested by the Bracken County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Sept. 9, 2025, just before 6:00 p.m. (EDT) in Bracken County. Troopers and detectives arrived on the scene and initiated an investigation.
The preliminary investigation indicates that BCSO was at a residence on East Augusta-Chatham Road for a welfare check on Justin Gillespie, a 34-year-old male. A deputy was talking to Mr. Gillespie on the front porch of the residence when Mr. Gillespie ran inside the house. The deputy then proceeded to the back door, at which time Mr. Gillespie was exiting, and an altercation resulted in the deputy discharging his agency-issued weapon, striking Mr. Gillespie. Bracken County EMS attempted life-saving measures, and Mr. Gillespie was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Bracken County Coroner’s Office.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing. 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.
# # #