Investigators Return To Scene Of Police-Involved Shooting

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Posted: 9:19 AM Jul 16, 2008
Last Updated: 9:00 PM Jul 16, 2008
Reporter: Tamara Evans
Email Address: tamara.evans@wkyt.com

30 comments

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Investigators were back out at a home Wednesday night where a man was shot several times by Lexington police.

Earlier Wednesday afternoon, a press conference was held to reveal new information about what led police to shoot Warren Doug Rayburn on Monday.

Monday morning a police officer shot an armed man at home on Arbor Station Way in north Lexington.

During a news conference Wednesday the police chief says the officer acted appropriately.

44-year-old Rayburn is still at UK hospital after being shot several times, currently listed in serious condition.

At the press conference police talked about the chain of events that led to the shooting. Police say they were called to a home on Arbor Station Road for a domestic dispute at around 4:00 a.m.

They say the officers left the home but stayed in the area because they thought the situation might flare back up.

Police say sometime later, Rayburn's girlfriend exited the house and Rayburn followed her with an assault rifle.

Police say they asked Rayburn to drop the weapon but instead, he turned towards them and raised the gun, pointing it in their direction.

That's when police say Officer Matthew Jordan shot Rayburn several times when he didn't put the weapon down.

Rayburn had to undergo surgery and is listed in serious condition. Family members tell us he is still unresponsive.

At the press conference on Wednesday morning, one of Rayburn's family members got in and grilled police about the events of that night.

George Hopper, his former father-in-law, is Rayburn's employer at the business The Happy Glass Man. He says he's never known Doug Rayburn to be a violent man. He says Rayburn is a gun collector, but he was surprised to find out one of those guns was pointed in the direction of an officer.

Hopper says Doug Rayburn is deaf in one ear, and may not have heard the officers tell him to put the gun down.

He says he wanted to be at today's conference to ask officers why his former son-in-law was shot five times.

Police tell us they do not have an exact number of how many times Doug Rayburn was shot just yet. They do say it was multiple times, and they did what was needed to stop him from being a threat to them. Rayburn's fun was loaded with a 30 round magazine.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Annon Location: Lexington on Sep 1, 2008 at 12:01 AM
honestly its prob a cover up, one officer didn't shot i heard the one that did was a hot head and if thats true who says he really had a gun in his hand? noone really knows they where not there.

Posted by: Goebel Location: Lexington on Jul 21, 2008 at 06:14 AM
The man got himself shot by his actions. You are in charge of you so don't blame other people.

Posted by: Birdlegs Location: Lexington on Jul 20, 2008 at 06:54 AM
My thoughts are with the officer. Thank you for the job you do.

Posted by: G Location: west on Jul 20, 2008 at 06:46 AM
Everybody is an expert thanks to computer games. Don't be so quick to judge unless you have been in a life and death situation. He had about a second to decide and you have enternity to critize. I've defended this country and been involved in shootings. This situation is not easy for the officer. Before you run your mouth get on your computer game and figure out what you would do in a active shooter situation and then decide.

Posted by: myself Location: eastern ky on Jul 19, 2008 at 08:54 PM
As a young child I witnessed a shooting between 2 neighbor men. One man shot the other guy 4 times in the head, the guy who got shot jumped into a car with half of his head blown off and drove down the street to another neighbor house for help. Got out of the car and was walking and talking until he went down, goes to show you don't always fall down when you are first shot. Good job police man. If I need assistance I will call on you.

Posted by: Smitty Location: Paris on Jul 18, 2008 at 07:15 PM
maybe the other officer didn't shoot cause he didn't have a clear shot at the suspect. his partner may have been in the way or something like that. plus there is NO WAY that that the officer could get close enough to taser him. he's not going to say "ok stay right there i'm goin to walk up and taser you. is that ok?" no forget that the officer had every right to shoot him plus the family of the so called victim should be happy. the glock 22 that the police carry has a 15 round magazine. the officer only fired 5 of them. I know that if someone raised a gun at me that was capable of shooting 30 rounds at one time i would unload all 15 rounds into him. the so called deaf victim got off lucky. thats another thing. if the guy is deaf so what! if someone gets drunk, gets in a car then gets an accident and kills somebody can they use being drunk as an excuse for killing them. NO! now i understand the suspect can't help being deaf but IT'S ONLY IN ONE EAR! last time i checked God gave you two!

Posted by: viewer on Jul 18, 2008 at 11:18 AM
give a cop a gun and not let him use it to protect any one or himself when he is in fear of his life is crazy were you there stop secound guessing him do you know what you would have done would you still be alive you dont know i have been there no cop wants to just shoot some one but they want to go home when it is time you are trained to shoot more than once and aim center mass he did what he was trained to do i would rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6

Posted by: Toe/Jam Location: Lex on Jul 18, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Where did it say he beat his girlfriend? I don't recall seeing where it said in any of the stories that the squad car lights & sirens were on. At first they said the police were on his porch standing in close proximity to the suspect, was one in fear for his life while the other one wasn't? The way I read it now is that the police hid down the street and were waiting on this guy. This all does not add up to a justified shooting and I too believe there needs to be another agencey investigating this shooting.

Posted by: nevermind Location: lex on Jul 17, 2008 at 08:17 PM
I am sure the suspect or should I say victim as some of you like to think was a very nice guy......... until he beat his girlfriend and chased her with a rifle. We all know how dangerous subdivisions can be that we all need to come outside with protection from our significant others and SUV driving neighbors. As far as the ex father-in-law goes....he is the ex father-in-law for a reason.....he must not have pulled a rifle on daddy's little girl. I am not in law enforcement or ever really cared but you so called concerned citizens are stupid...plain and simple.

Posted by: Ron Location: KY on Jul 17, 2008 at 07:33 PM
Boy am I glad to see some smart people have give some good testimony for the POLICE. I am 70 years old I am not a police officer. Thank you.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 17, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Why didn't the other officer fire his weapon? Are only the rookies trained to open fire in defense and not the officers with seniority? Very very fishy!!!! Sounds like a huge amount of cover ups are just around the corner!!!

Posted by: Joe Location: Richmond on Jul 17, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Don't think I would be out in my front yard, after the police had been called to my house, with a weapon. Was he afraid of his girlfriend and needed protection or just forgot his spotlight and hadn't started deer hunting yet? He had the gun for a reason people, he attempted that purpose and got shot. I would think anyone would realize, in a civilized world, you don't walk around with a weapon and refuse the order to put it down when told to do so by the authority. It is good that no one else was harmed.

Posted by: Michael Location: Nicholasville on Jul 17, 2008 at 08:17 AM
Way to go Lex Metro. Maybe next time the guy will think twice before he points a weapon at his loved ones or the police for that matter.

Posted by: j Location: knot on Jul 17, 2008 at 08:02 AM
If you threaten a person with a gun, or some kind of weapon, what do you expect. If it is the police they will defend their life. And the ex-son in-law wanted to know why he was shot 5 times, because 4 was not enough and 6 was too many..

Posted by: John Location: Lexington on Jul 17, 2008 at 07:29 AM
You fire center mass not at arms, legs, head, or the air. Shooting at the arms, legs, and head have a higher probability for a miss due to their movement. Shooting in the air places other people in danger due to the fact of what goes up must come down and comes down at the same rate it went up. You fire as many rounds it takes to neutralize the threat.

Posted by: Bill Location: Augusta Ga on Jul 17, 2008 at 07:05 AM
You point a weapon at police, or anyone for that matter, you should expect to be fired upon. They will fire until you drop the weapon, or you drop...when they feel the threat is no longer a threat. There have been instances where suspects have been shot 20 times or more and remain standing because of drugs. Pretty simple to me.

Posted by: Jack Location: lexington on Jul 17, 2008 at 05:57 AM
He may be deaf in one ear, but not blind. He had to see the emergency lights. He knew the officers were on scene. They had been there earlier. Why would you even think about showing a weapon knowing officers had returned? Sounds like he attempted "suicide by cop".

Posted by: Jeff Location: Lexington on Jul 17, 2008 at 05:33 AM
It's a shame that an officer has to put up with the criticism after such an obvious incident. Unfortunately, it's expected. I'm not an expert in the field, but I'd bet that the officer and his kids and wife are glad he's around to take the criticism....I would be. If you are reading this Officer Jordan, keep your chin up and know that not all of the citizens of this burg are ignorant of what an officer does everyday.

Posted by: To Ben From M Location: Lex on Jul 17, 2008 at 05:25 AM
What a shame we aren't all as intelligent as you. I think my question was one that should be answered by the officer who did the shooting, not some know it all who likes to run at the mouth.

Posted by: mel Location: lex on Jul 17, 2008 at 05:10 AM
Amen, Ben. If you pull your weapon, you shoot at body mass to end the situation, not at the leg to slow him down or in the air to scare him. Drop the suspect. End the situation.

Posted by: Anonymous on Jul 17, 2008 at 05:05 AM
Judge -jury -and ex-----.the police in Kentucky are way more dangerous then the crooks.

Posted by: Peter Location: Fry on Jul 16, 2008 at 10:00 PM
I just want to know. Why was an outside agency not brought in to evaluate the shooting? Also, If there were two officers, and only ONE shot any rounds, did the other officer not see a threat? Sounds fishy to me? If the "suspect" REALLY pointed a gun at them, then both of them BEN being trained to drop the suspect, WOULD HAVE!!! This is dirty and someone, hopefully the FBI will look into this.

Posted by: Ron Location: KY on Jul 16, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Why not just do away with all Policemen. That seems to be what I am Reading here from most of you Idiots. You were not there. Do you think the officers go out day after dat just to kill someone?

Posted by: Anonymous Location: lexington on Jul 16, 2008 at 09:16 PM
I think this was all brought on by some rookie trigger happy police punk who chooses to be an officer so he can leagally hide behind a weapon and badge. In the victims defense, are we sure that the officers report is 100% the whole truth or could he possibly be saving his own behind from charges?

Posted by: Amen Ben on Jul 16, 2008 at 08:59 PM
Amen Ben, Finally someone with some sense chimed in on this conversation. Lets see you people stand in front of someone with a loaded assualt rifle pointed at you and try to shot him with your Taser. Police have the same rights as the average citizen in the fact that they can use deadly force when confronted with someone who could possibly use deadly force against them. (i.e. Pointing an assault rifle loaded with a 30 round clip) If anyone ever points a firearm at an officer or in the general direction of an officer you can rest assure they will be shot until they are no longer a threat no matter how many shots it takes. Police are allowed to use deadly force against someone with a knife or any deadly weapon, deadly force against an assault rifle is kind of a no-brainer.

Posted by: OMG Location: Lexington on Jul 16, 2008 at 08:45 PM
I am totally outraged!! I do not understand what the issue is...he pointed a gun at the police. Deaf or not, common sense tells you that there are people in police uniforms, you need to know they are there because you threatened your girlfriend and SHE called the police. Bravo to the officers and Bravo to Chief Bastin for backing the officers and holding the father in law accountable for his lack of cooperation with the investigation. I am so upset with the people who question the police but want to call when they get theirself into problems. It is the chance you take, the perception of the officer when they arrive. My perception of an assault rifle being pointed at me is that you are going to be taken down before you take me down!!

Posted by: Outraged Location: Floyd Co on Jul 16, 2008 at 08:08 PM
I don't agree with the Police shooting him several times, they are trained but i also think a lot of them get trigger happy..Come on what would happen if we shot someone several times in self defence? I don't think I need to answer that. They are trained to shoot in self defence and are trained to where to shoot but come on 5 times...Theres no excuse for that...

Posted by: KC Location: LEX on Jul 16, 2008 at 08:01 PM
bev in richmond,bet if you were a victim of a home invasion,or a rape you would never ask these silly questions,i trully hope you are never on a jury,that is why a cop killer will be set free on the clay city case in about 10 years.your wondering as you stated is why these defense attorneys love people like you,you have no idea what your talking about.

Posted by: Leo Location: South of there on Jul 16, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Have to agree with Ben. Officer or civilian, self defense with a weapon is fire until they are down. Sometimes it takes several hits before they go down. If the man wasn't bent on violence, why did he leave the house after the woman with a deadly weapon? I may not be a cop, but I sure as heck would empty my clip to stop a threat to myself or another person. Even more justification, though not needed, is assault rifles go through vests. You can't wait for them to fire. When they do, it's already too late for you.

Posted by: To Brenda Location: Lexington on Jul 16, 2008 at 07:14 PM
I have never broken a law. I never even gotten a speeding ticket. I have an AR-15 assault rifle. I have a Glock pistol similar to that carried by LFCPD. Assault is a term tagged to weapons targeted by liberal anti gun groups. Point blank, any weapon used to harm another person can be considered an assault weapon, i.e. knife, sword, .22 rifle, fists. In fact the round that the AR-15 fires is the .223 round which is similar to the NATO 5.56mm round that is utilized in M-4's and M-16's. A .223 round is a common hunting round. An AR-15 is semi-auto, meaning you have to pull the trigger for every round fired. The military M-4's and M-16 have a three round burst. The civilian model AR-15 doesn't. You kooky Koolaide drinkers try everyway in the world to diminish 2nd Amendment rights. In fact a .22 round fired from a Ruger 10/22 can be as dangerous as a .223 full metal jacket because it is lead. .22 round expand and bounce on contact with tissue and bone.

Posted by: Lexington LEO Location: Lexington on Jul 16, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Ben-great job addressing some of the uninformed comments. The police waited to get their facts straight BEFORE releasing a statement just so their stories wouldn't change and cause the public to question their truthfullness. The Taser comment is ridiculous. Tasers are for less-than-lethal confrontations, not subduing someone with a weapon capable of readily passing through a patrolman's body armor. Would you expect an officer to pepper spray someone with a shotgun pointed at you or your child? Why would you expect them to Tase someone with a rifle pointed at them? As to why the suspect was shot five times, I would assume the officer still considered him a threat after the fourth shot. People only fall down immediately or fly through the air when shot in the movies, not in real life. How about giving the officer the benefit of the doubt in assuming he was in legitimate fear of his life instead of the guy with the rifle in his front yard...

Posted by: grumpy on Jul 16, 2008 at 05:22 PM
what are they supose to do say hold on dont shoot yet my back up is on the way no you protect your self or you are a dead cop let any one in the public that wants to dispute the officers get in the same story and not do what you are trained to do and you will be in the hospital or dead you cant set back and arm chair quarter back, a police officer has a split second to do what he must do and every one setting around has from now on

Posted by: Ben on Jul 16, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Why did the officer fire more than one? Because he was trained to, that's why. Someone has a rifle aimed at you, you are not taught to shoot once or shoot in the arm or in the leg, you are taught to drop the suspect and put the situation to an end. If someone is coming at you with a gun are you going to shoot once and hope you stop him? Police officers are trained but they aren't the Lone Ranger shooting weapons out of people's hands. And as for the silly comment "what about the tasers?" Are you going to get close enough to someone with a rifle to shoot them with a TASER? How about using some common sense. Might as well address D's comment as well... You are dealing with a police officer shooting a person who may eventually die. They must conduct an investigation and go through the proper channels. A person being caught after robbing a bank is a whole different situation. No weapons were fired, no one was seriously injured. Get some common sense

Posted by: Really Location: Lexington on Jul 16, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Who really thinks the whole deaf in one hear thing is real. The whole uniform and car with flashing blue and red lights. I want to say good good Lexington Police. In the past the Chief has not stood with it's officers. It's about time!! Don't pay this guy one red cent.

Posted by: M Location: Lex on Jul 16, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Why did the officer feel it necessary to shoot more than once?

Posted by: hello?? Location: LEX on Jul 16, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Deaf or not, this individual aimed a WEAPON at this lady, AND police. Being deaf does not excuse either of those things.

Posted by: Brenda Location: Eastern, Ky on Jul 16, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Non-violent persons do not carry assault rifles

Posted by: Kendal Location: Lexington on Jul 16, 2008 at 11:32 AM
How was the family member granted access to the press conference? Shouldn't the press have been screened? Granted he deserves some answers BUT as one individual pointed out, he would be happy to speak with him in private AFTER the press conference. What has been done has been done...there is nothing which can reverse it....I am sure the officers did all they could do at the time!! I think the Chief handled the situation very well!!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: lexington on Jul 16, 2008 at 11:17 AM
OK, so if he was deaf, according to the ex-father-in-law how were the officers suppose to know that. Are they now expected to check medical history before each and every call? No. It sounds like to me the officers did exactly what they were suppose to do. Who in the right mind would raise a gun, especially an assault rifle, in the direction of the police. He and his family should be thankful he is still alive. I wouldn't expect anything less of the police and hope they would do it again if put in that same situation.

Posted by: John Location: Lexington on Jul 16, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Anybody, police or civilian, would have did the dame thing. The fact that the police shot this man is why everyone has an issue with it. Point Blank: If you want to die just point a weapon at a police officer and you will.

Posted by: Bev Location: Richmond on Jul 16, 2008 at 10:12 AM
I haven't really followed this story, so I'm probably missing some info that others already have. I'm wondering...did the officer identify himself before he fired? Or was it a situation where Rayburn left his house carrying a weapon, heard 'someone' yelling at him to drop the weapon, possibly got a little freaked out & as an automatic response jerked around & aimed his weapon in the general direction of the person yelling at him. I'm not saying I think it's OK for him to be carrying a weapon, fighting with or threatening his girlfriend, but obviously he was already emotionally charged from an argument with her. It was dark outside, maybe he didn't see the officers, just wondering if the officer identified himself & gave Rayburn sufficient time to lower his weapon before he started shooting.

Posted by: Toe/Jam Location: Lex on Jul 16, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Something is beginning to stink more and more. The story is changing & I believe the shooter may have gotten a bit trigger happy. Where were those new tasers they just got?

Posted by: D Location: Lex on Jul 16, 2008 at 09:40 AM
It took the police department two days to get their story straight and let the public know "their" side, however when they caught an accused bank robber on Monday, the details were released immediately! Their policy needs to be revamped. It reaks of hidden adgendas...

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