London, Kentucky Police Killed Man in His Home in Late Night Search Warrant Raid Apparently at Wrong Address–Reportedly Over a Stolen Weed Eater

London, Kentucky police officers reportedly tasked with serving a search warrant at a home on 489 Vanzant Road in London two days before Christmas instead apparently attempted to serve the warrant in a late night raid at a house across the street at 11:50 p.m. Monday and ended up killing the man who was residing in 511 Vanzant Road.

London is a small town with a population of about 8,000 located in Laurel County in southeastern Kentucky.

Home security video from across the street and police dispatch audio tell part of the story. Police repeatedly say on the audio they are at 489 Vanzant Rd., while the home security video shows the police raiding the home at 511 Vanzant Rd., across the street from 489, and then firing shots inside that house. 489 Vanzant Rd. has reportedly been vacant for several months. A neighbor told local media the police raid was over a stolen weed eater. Reporters have not been able to obtain a copy of the search warrant.

The man killed was 63-year-old Douglas Harless, an employed father and grandfather and reportedly without a criminal record. London police said three days after the deadly shooting that Harless was shot after he raised a firearm at officers.

Douglas Harless, family photo via Lex 18

WLEX-TV reported a neighbor’s comments on the shooting (excerpt):

“I heard five shots,” says a neighbor, who does not want to be identified. “At least five shots. Woke me up. I was laying on the couch.”

Neighbors are still in disbelief and looking for answers as to why London Police were at the door of 61-year-old Doug Harless the night of December 23rd.
One neighbor walked us through what they say happened that night.

“My wife looked out the back door and said, Doug’s house is all lit up. At that time, we had seen several cop cars up and down the road and I contacted his daughter. She sent her husband out here to find out that her dad was deceased. The cops had shot him.”

…”But now everything is breaking out, whether the search warrant was for 489, which is right here on this corner, two doors down from Doug. They are looking for the guy that lives there in that house for a stolen weed eater.”

Neighbors say Harless was a victim, not a criminal.

WKYT-TV reporter Samantha Valentino has been reporting on the shooting. Valentino obtained the home security video that shows the deadly raid and police dispatch audio:

New surveillance video provided to us by a neighbor shows the moments leading up to Douglas Harless' death.

Kentucky State Police say he was shot and killed by a London Police officer during an attempt to serve a search warrant.

Dispatch audio exclusively obtained by WKYT… pic.twitter.com/WszTLVRcXV

— Samantha Valentino (@SamanthaWKYT) December 29, 2024

KSP says an LPD officer shot and killed a man while attempting to serve a search warrant Monday night.

Questions have been raised as to whether police were at the wrong house.

New dispatch audio we've obtained is helping us better understand what happened.

More at 6 on @WKYT. pic.twitter.com/8fLtMR663x

— Samantha Valentino (@SamanthaWKYT) December 27, 2024

Statement by London police posted Thursday to social media:

On December 23, 2024, Officers from the London Police Department were following up with an investigation which started in the city limits of London. This investigation led officers to attempt to execute a search warrant at a residence on Vanzant Road in Laurel County. While doing so, the occupant of the residence produced a firearm and pointed it at officers. The officer then responded with force, which resulted in the death of the occupant.

At the request of the London Police Department, The Kentucky State Police was called to investigate the use of force and responded to the scene. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard and in line with the department’s policy for this type of incident.

At this time, no other information will be released as it is an active and ongoing investigation. Any further questions or inquiries should be directed to The Kentucky State Police.

Kentucky State Police statement issued Tuesday:

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 11 London has been requested by the London Police Department (LPD) to investigate an officer-involved shooting in Laurel County. KSP Post 11 was contacted on December 23 at 11:53 p,m, EST regarding the incident requesting assistance on an officer-involved shooting that had taken place at 511 Vanzant Road in Laurel County.

The preliminary investigation indicates LPD officers were following up on an investigation with an attempt to execute a search warrant. During the encounter, an LPD officer fired their agency-issued firearm, striking the individual. The man sustained injuries and life-saving measures were performed on-scene. He succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by the Laurel County Coroner’s Office. No other injuries were reported.

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 have been gathered. Timelines to complete investigations vary based on the complexity of the case.

Obituary:

Douglas Marshall Harless
April 10, 1961 – December 23, 2024
Posted on December 27, 2024 at 7:09 PM • 1 Comment
Douglas Marshall Harless, 63, of Lily, Kentucky, passed away Monday, December 23, 2024. Born April 10, 1961, he was the son of the late James Harless and Mavis Gunn.

In addition to his father and mother, Doug was preceded in death by a special friend, Shannon Smith, and his sister, Gail Fritz.

He leaves behind his daughter, Nicki Lawson and husband Tim; grandson, Kobe Lawson; bonus daughter, Mona Alsip and bonus grandson, Tyler; brother, Mark Harless and wife Sherry; nephew, Travis Harless; sister, Peggy Turner; sister, Margaret Barnes; brother, Cody Wilburn; sister, Angie Martin and husband Jason; and special work friend, Justin Medlin. Survivors also include many nieces, nephews, and friends to mourn his passing.

A hardworking man, Doug was an employee of Winterwood, Inc. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Other interests included NASCAR racing and listening to music.

Doug was dearly loved by his family and friends and will be deeply missed.

The family will receive friends from 5 – 8 P.M. Monday, December 30, 2024, at Hart Funeral Home, located at 1011 Master Street Corbin, Kentucky 40701.

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