Man killed in trooper-involved shooting on I-75 in Laurel County

LONDON, Ky. (WYMT + WKYT) - A Kentucky State Police trooper shot and killed a man after a traffic stop on Interstate 75 in Laurel County on Monday night, state police said.

The man was identified as 40-year-old Tommy Velasco, of Jeffersonville, Kentucky. The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. near mile marker 46 on I-75 South in the East Bernstadt community.

According to state police, the trooper stopped Velasco’s car and had him take field sobriety tests after he got out. Police said Velasco showed signs of impairment and ran when the trooper tried to arrest him.

The trooper chased Velasco and used a Taser, but it did not stop him, police said.

Police said the two then fought, and the trooper shot Velasco with his service weapon, killing him.

The KSP Critical Incident Response Team is investigating. State police said they withhold some details during an investigation until key witnesses have been interviewed and relevant facts have been gathered.