KSP investigation finds London police killed wrong man during 2024 search warrant

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A 13-month-long investigation by Kentucky State Police concluded that London police shot and killed the wrong man during an investigation in December 2024.

According to KSP, nine officers with the London Police Department were serving a search warrant at 11:53 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2024, at 511 Vanzant Road in Laurel County.

Officers had probable cause to believe stolen property was delivered to a home at 489 Vanzant Road.

According to KSP's investigation, LPD believed it had the correct address based on images from Google and Apple Maps and the Laurel County Property Valuation Administration website.

But the photos incorrectly showed 489 Vanzant Road as 511 Vanzant Road.

When police arrived, LPD knocked on the side of the house and the front door, then announced themselves as officers.

Officers were wearing clothing clearly marked "police" and had activated blue emergency lights.

KSP said Doug Harless, 63, was asleep when officers arrived.

LPD broke down the front door when Harless did not answer within what officers believed was a reasonable amount of time.

Police found Harless standing in the doorway holding a semi-automatic pistol with both hands and pointing it at officers, KSP said.

Officers shot Harless five times and he died at the scene. KSP said he was not involved in the criminal investigation.

The Laurel County grand jury on Feb. 16, 2026, was presented with the completed investigation and four days later returned a "no true bill."

After the jury returned its no true bill, 13 Laurel County elected officials requested the matter be reviewed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Federal law enforcement requested KSP not release the records, but the complete investigation files were released after required redactions.

"KSP is committed to transparency while ensuring public and officer safety," KSP said in a news release. "The procedures followed in this case are standard for all officer-involved shooting investigations and will remain so in the future."