A Taylor County Grand Jury has returned numerous indictments against several individuals. Indictments are legal accusations and do not determine guilt or innocence.

COLUMBIA, KY – On May 11, 2024 at approximately 7:55 a.m. The Kentucky State Police received a call from the Adair County Sheriff’s Office requesting investigative assistance with a vehicle collision and shooting that occurred on KY 704 in Adair County.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Gregory Jarrod Willis, age 50 of Columbia, and Mark Shawn Hatcher, age 46 of Columbia, were involved in a vehicle collision on KY 704.  Immediately after the collision, Willis armed himself with a firearm and discharged it, striking Hatcher.  A passenger in Hatcher’s vehicle, William  "Wes" Feese, age 23 of Columbia, was also injured during the vehicle collision.  Both Hatcher and Feese were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Willis fled from the scene prior to law enforcement’s arrival and a search for him ensued.

As a result of the preliminary investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for Willis for Assault 1st Degree.  On May 11, 2024 at approximately 1:56 p.m. troopers located Willis in a wooded area on Paul Frankum Road in Adair County.  Willis was arrested without incident by Trooper Jake Smith and charged with Assault 1st Degree.  Willis was lodged in the Adair County Detention Center.

The case remains under investigation by Detective Mike Dubree.  Det. Dubree was assisted by other KSP Troopers and the Adair County Sheriff’s Office. 

A Taylor County Grand Jury has returned indictments against several individuals. Indictments are legal accusations and do not determine guilt or innocence.

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. (May 7, 2024) - The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) has been requested by the Campbellsville Police Department (CPD) and Taylor County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) to investigate an officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 7, 2024 at approximately 4:28 P.M. EST at 401 Pitman Avenue in Campbellsville.

Big Dawg News has learned that Terry Thompson age 65 of Campbellsville fired a shot and struck Taylor County Deputy Mark Dicken in the leg,  Thompson was then shot and killed by Campbellsville Police.

Dicken was taken to Taylor Regional Hospital, Thompson was pronounced dead by the Taylor County Coroner.

At the request of the CPD and TCSO, KSP Post 15 Troopers and Detectives responded to the scene on Pitman Avenue in the city limits of Campbellsville. KSP initiated an investigation into the incident and it remains ongoing by the CIRT.

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

BETHELRIDGE, Ky. (May 6, 2024) – The Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 in Columbia has conducted an investigation into an animal cruelty complaint reported in Casey County on Sunday May 5. As a result of the investigation, fourteen people have been charged for their involvement in the incident that occurred yesterday afternoon in the Bethelridge community of Casey County. 

On May 5, 2024, at approximately 12:00 P.M. EST, KSP Post 15 received a call from an individual stating there was an organized chicken-fighting event occurring at a residence located on KY 837.  Troopers responded to the residence and upon arrival made contact with several individuals that were on the property.  Troopers located a caged area with seating around it for spectators, several injured chickens, and a concessions area on the property.  Leo Harris, age 59, and Christopher Harris, age 39, both from Bethelridge, were arrested and charged with Cruelty to Animals 2^nd Degree.  Both were lodged in the Casey County Detention Center. 

Twelve additional individuals were charged and cited to court for Cruelty to Animals 2^nd Degree, including:

• Steven Wesley, age 35 of Science Hill
• Tiffany Robinson, age 35 of Liberty
• Tyler Gillilan, age 22 of Eubank
• James Croucher, age 38 of Mount Vernon
• Brandon Mounce, age 39 of Lancaster
• Randall Emerson, age 49 of Bethelridge
• Kaleb Chansler, age 33 of Middleburg
• Ronald Sharp, age 47 of Russell Springs
• Dormas Bullock, age 72 of Eubank
• Jeffrey Owens, age 53 of Stanford
• David Bradshaw, age 65 of Bethelridge
• Shawn Harris, age 35 of Russell Springs

The case remains ongoing and is being investigated by Trooper Maverick Gadberry.  Trooper Gadberry was assisted at the scene by Trooper Matthew Lee and Sergeant Levi Scott.

On Saturday, May 4, 2024 at approximately 12:00 p.m., Campbellsville Police received a call of shots fired at the intersection of Martin Luther King Blvd. and Baptist Street, Campbellsville Police Chief Shannon Wilson told 99.9 the Big dawg,  it was determined that 27-year old Brandon Berry and 25-year old Dasean Murdock both of Campbellsville, got into a verbal altercation, Murdock then produced a firearm and began shooting at Berry, striking him one (1) time. Murdock was a passenger in a vehicle being operated by 44-year old Karen Wilcher also of Campbellsville. Murdock and Wilcher fled the scene after the incident. At approximately 3:19 p.m., Campbellsville Police, Kentucky State Police and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 383 White Pine Circle and arrested 44-year old Karen Wilcher and 25-year old Dasean Murdock charging them both with Assault 1st degree. The victim, Brandon Berry was flown to the University of Kentucky Medical Center for treatment. Date: Saturday, May 4, 2024 Time: 12:00 p.m. Location: Campbellsville, KY Agencies Involved: Campbellsville Police, Kentucky State Police, and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office. Investigating Officers: Officer Chris Milby Approving Supervisor: Chief Shannon Wilson.

JAMESTOWN, Ky. (May 4, 2024) - The Kentucky State Police (KSP) is investigating two deadly shootings that occurred Friday evening in Russell County. 

On May 3, 2024 at approximately 7:00 P.M. CST, KSP Post 15 received a call from Pulaski County 911 requesting assistance locating a Ford F150 believed to be operated by Angela Gosser, age 56 of Russell Springs.  Troopers responded to the Russell County to attempt to locate the vehicle.  At approximately 7:24 P.M. CST, Russell County 911 contacted KSP Post 15 and requested investigative assistance with a deadly shooting incident that had occurred at a residence on South KY 619 in Russell County.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Angela Gosser had arrived at a residence on South KY 619 belonging to her brother, Darryl Wilson, age 58 of Jamestown.  Once at the residence, Ms. Gosser armed herself with a firearm and forced entry into the residence.  Upon Ms. Gosser entering the residence, there was an apparent exchange of gunfire between Ms. Gosser and Mr. Wilson with both individuals receiving gunshot wounds.  Mr. Wilson was transported to the University of Kentucky Hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.  Ms. Gosser injuries were fatal and she was pronounced deceased by the Russell County Coroner.

While at the scene on South KY 619, KSP received a request for a welfare check on Angela Gosser’s sister, Jennifer Wilson, age 57 of Russell Springs.  Family members of Ms. Wilson reported they had been unable to make contact with her, causing them to become concerned for her safety.  KSP Troopers and Russell County Sheriff's Deputies responded to Hammond Road in Russell County.  Troopers and Deputies located a Toyota Camry partially off the roadway when they arrived on Hammond Road.  Upon contact with the vehicle, a lone occupant, Jennifer Wilson, was located in the driver’s seat with apparent fatal gunshot wounds to the head.  The preliminary investigation revealed that before the incident at her brother’s residence on South KY 619, Ms. Gosser encountered Ms. Wilson on Hammond Road.  Ms. Gosser armed herself with a firearm and fired multiple rounds into the passenger area of the vehicle, fatally striking Ms. Wilson.  Ms. Wilson was pronounced deceased by the Russell County Coroner. 

KSP was assisted at the scene by the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Police Department, Russell County EMS, and the Russell County Coroner’s Office. The investigation is ongoing by Detective James Ford.

# # #

Taylor County Sheriffs Department investigated a one vehicle accident Wednesday on West Main Street, sheriff Dickie Benningfield told 99.9 the Big Dawg News that Lucas Milby age 34 of Campbellsville was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control and struck the bridge and over pass, an overturned the automobile.

Milby was taken to Taylor Regional Hospital and is charged with driving under the influence.

Big Dawg Local News - Wednesday, May 1st...

Taylor County Fire Department was dispatched to 900 Bridlewood Park for a Barn Fire at 8:16pm, upon arrival fire fighters found a large barn fully involved. the structure was described as a total loss, twenty one firefighters responded with four apparatus. No injuries reported.