Suspect arrested after photographer shot dead at Kentucky park protest; others returned fire at suspect, police say
06/29/2020 10:23 am PDT
via WLKY:
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WLKY) -- Officials have identified both the man killed and the suspect in a shooting at Jefferson Square.
According to Louisville Metro Police Department, officers were sent to the 600 block of West Jefferson Street on a report of shooting around 9 p.m. on Saturday
The Jefferson County Coroner's Office identified the man killed as Tyler Gerth, 27.
Steven Lopez, 23, was arrested in connection with the shooting. According to arrest slips, he fired into a large crowd of protesters and hit Gerth. While he was shooting, bystanders returned fire and Lopez was hit in the leg, police said.
Police said a large crowd of people had gathered at the park Saturday night to protest police brutality and the death of Breonna Taylor, the Washington Post reports.
LMPD says Lopez is in custody at the hospital. He had been participating in the protests and was previously told to leave by fellow protesters. He is charged with murder and wanton endangerment. Police also said he has been arrested before for causing disturbances.
Officers who arrived at the scene found Gerth shot in the face in the middle of the park, according to Lopez's arrest citation. The USA Today reports Gerth was a Louisville photographer who had become a vocal supporter of the protests.
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