Beech Tree News Network

The suspect in the killing of State Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder has died after being shot by troopers in a confrontation.

According to a news release from Kentucky State Police, at approximately 7 a.m. CDT, troopers located Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks in a wooded area in close proximity to Interstate 24.

Upon making contact with Johnson-Shanks, troopers of the Special Response Team (SRT) observed him with a firearm and instructed him to relinquish it, according to the release. Johnson-Shanks reportedly refused verbal commands and aimed the weapon at the troopers.

An SRT trooper fired on Johnson-Shanks, striking him at least once. He was transported via ambulance to the Caldwell Medical Center in Princeton for treatment. He succumbed to his injuries at 8:23 a.m.

The incident began on Sunday at approximately 10:20 p.m. when Ponder conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 24 around the westbound 58-mile marker. After making contact with the driver, the vehicle fled from the stop.

A pursuit ensued with the suspect, Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks of Missouri, stopping abruptly around the 49-mile marker, causing the front of Ponder’s police cruiser to make contact with the rear of the suspect vehicle.

At this time, Johnson-Shanks fired several shots into the police cruiser striking the hood, windshield and Trooper Ponder multiple times. The suspect fled the scene on foot.

Trooper Ponder was transported via ambulance to the Caldwell Medical Center in Princeton where he succumbed to his injuries at 11:41 p.m.

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The Crittenden Press
Date: 09-14-2015
Kentucky Press News Service