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GRAPHIC: Bodycam footage released of LMPD officers shooting burglary suspect in October

Police say a man broke into a west Louisville home and fired multiple rounds inside while a mother barricaded herself and her two small children in a bedroom.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Body camera video from when Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) officers shot a man who broke into a family's west Louisville home was released on Tuesday.

Two weeks after a man was shot by LMPD officers in west Louisville, body camera video of the incident has been released.

WARNING: Details and video in this article may be disturbing for some. Viewer discretion is advised.

On Oct. 24 at about 3:30 a.m., LMPD officers received a ShotSpotter notification and off-duty LMPD Detective Kiersten Holman who was nearby responded to the 2500 block of Garland Avenue.

Once Holman was on scene, she told officers she heard more shots fired and heard glass breaking. This prompted more officers to respond.

In a news conference on Tuesday, LMPD Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said Holman's presence at the scene was crucial. 

"It was critical that she was on scene, hearing these shots before any 911 calls came out," he said.

LMPD Officers Christopher Johnson, John Lyons, Jacob Valdivia, and Michael Lonoaea also responded to the shooting.

RELATED: Man shot by Louisville police in October charged with burglary, wanton endangerment

Shortly after officers arrived on scene, dispatch received a 911 call from a woman who said a man, Sylvester Lynn Price, 38, broke into her house on Garland Avenue through the front window and fired multiple rounds from inside the home.

Police evidence revealed that Price fired shots inside a children's bedroom. There were bullet holes in the bed and pillow.

The woman barricaded herself and her two small children inside her bedroom as officers pursued the suspect. Officers saw Price break a side window and jump out, attempting to flee on foot.

Body camera video shows officers surrounding Price, ordering him to drop his weapon multiple times. He did not comply and instead ran down Garland Avenue then 26th Street with the gun still in his hand.

Price stopped in the middle of 26th Street, still refusing to drop his weapon despite police commands, the video shows.

LMPD Deputy Chief Humphrey said officers showed restraint in this instance, since the man had a gun in his hand and refused to follow commands.

The bodycam video shows all four officers' perspectives when Price raised his gun in their direction. They opened fire, shot him and immediately gave him aid before moving his gun away.

Credit: LMPD
A still image of LMPD body camera video showing the gun underneath Price.

"It's always a shame and a tragedy when we have to shoot someone," Humphrey said. "But in this type of situation, this is what that's reserved for; when you're protecting the lives of others."

Price was critically injured and transported to UofL Hospital. LMPD said he's still in critical condition but stable.

Price was charged with burglary (first degree), wanton endangerment (first degree), wanton endangerment of a police officer (first degree), resisting arrest, and fleeing or evading police (first degree).

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