Body camera video shows Louisville police officer shoot man with a gun near Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro Police on Friday released the body camera footage of an officer shooting a man they said refused to drop his gun, after running from a traffic stop near Churchill Downs earlier this month.

The shooting happened on Friday, Dec. 8, at 4th and Central Avenue. LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said officers had initiated a traffic stop around 9:15 p.m.

Police said at the news conference that the investigation began at 7th Street and Berry Boulevard at a BP Gas Station.

LMPD's Criminal Interdiction Division was conducting surveillance on the gas station parking lot looking for what police said was a "known suspect." That's when police noticed 28-year-old Marvin Smith. They could not detail if Smith was the suspect they were investigating that night.

Officers saw that Smith had a handgun, as he went in and out of the store. They also said officers witnessed a "narcotics transaction." The arrest citation said police saw him put a small plastic baggie into a black bag. That's when police said he got into a car with someone and left.

Officers followed the car to the area of 4th Street and Central Avenue near Churchill Downs. When officers pulled over the vehicle, the body camera video showed that Smith ran with what police called a "pistol with an extended magazine."

Officers chased Smith on foot down South 4th Street to an area just outside of Wagner's Pharmacy across from Churchill Downs.

On the video, Sergeant Joshua Arnwine tells Smith to drop the gun at least 12 times. As they chased Smith, Arnwine and at least one other officer warned Smith that they are going to shoot.

When Smith refused to stop or drop the weapon, Arnwine fired his weapon three times before Smith dropped to the ground near Wagner's. Smith got back up, and officers keep telling him to drop the gun before they shoot another seven times

LMPD said Smith was carrying a loaded gun, and that's what prompted officers to shoot.

"You could see the weapon mounted light pointed in that direction. I can't tell you exactly if it was pointed right at the officer or in the direction. I can tell you that an officer does not have to wait to be shot at or to be shot in order to protect themselves," said Assistant LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey at the news conference.

Smith has been released from the hospital and faces several charges including wanton endangerment in the 1st degree of a police officer, receiving stolen property (stolen gun), trafficking in a controlled substance for fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine and fleeing and evading, according to police.

No Louisville police officers were injured. Arnwine was placed on administrative leave, which is protocol for officers involved in shootings.

LMPD said Arnwine is part of the department's Criminal Interdiction Division and has been on the force since 2016.

The case against Smith will be presented to the Commonwealth Attorney's office, and a final copy of the investigation will be sent to Kentucky State Police for a peer review. A copy will also be given to the Louisville Office of the Inspector General.

LMPD posted the body camera video to its YouTube page. A warning here that it contains graphic language and images. If you'd like to see it, click here.

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