Louisville police detail suspect's crime spree before exchanging gunfire with officers

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- More details are emerging about a three hour crime spree in Louisville's Highlands neighborhood last week that included carjackings and a shootout with police. One person was injured.

There were still unanswered questions following the arrest of Winthrop Taylor hours later hiding in a crawl space, after reportedly exchanging gunfire with officers on Bardstown Road near the Watterson Expressway.

Louisville Metro Police and court records rolled out a chaotic timeline of his alleged crime spree in the early hours of Friday, Dec. 19.

Crime spree began before midnight

It started around 11:30 p.m. Thursday when Taylor approached a woman, held a gun to her, and told her to get out of her car. Taylor then told her to get back into the car, and he drove off until he hit a curb, rendering the car no longer drivable.

Taylor got out of the car with the victim and went to 310 E. Broadway. According to his citation, the victim told police she witnessed Taylor rob another person for his car. Taylor yelled and threatened the woman to get into that car.

Victim goes to police for help

An arrest report said Taylor allegedly shot at the driver of a Tahoe at a gas station. That driver got away and spotted LMPD officers conducting a traffic stop near the Krispy Kreme on Bardstown Road. The victim pulled up to the police to help.

That's when police said Taylor drove up and shot at the victim and officers from a stolen car. Officers returned fire. The victim was shot in the arm, but it's still unclear whether that gunshot came from police or Taylor.

The whole scene played out in a public space on a very busy section of Bardstown Road.

Louisville police chief reaction 

WDRB asked LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey at a news conference on Tuesday about how officers handled the situation.

"When people are shooting people in public there’s an immediate danger. The way to mitigate the risk to the public is through accuracy. Try to hit what you’re shooting at and try to not have those rounds go anywhere else," Humphrey explained. "That being said we’re not going to be perfect in gunfights, and we don’t get to determine that all the time."

Police said after the exchange of gunfire Taylor drove off and later carjacked a woman.

Just after 2 a.m., he reportedly led officers on a short chase where he tried to get on to the Watterson Expressway, but he crashed and ran away. LMPD tracked him to an apartment off Trafalgar Square in the Bashford Manor neighborhood. 

When police sent a K9 into a crawl space to get to Taylor, he allegedly grabbed the dog's neck and tried to hold it under water.

Taylor was taken into custody and charged with attempted murder of a police officer and robbery. At his initial arraignment, the judge increased his bond from $100,000 to $150,000, after he was deemed a flight risk. He is scheduled back in court Dec. 29. 

Officer's name released

Late Friday, LMPD released the name of the officer that fired his weapon. Fifth Division Officer Nicholas Fischer was hired by the department in Feb. 2023 and sworn in Aug. 2023. 

Fischer had no disciplinary documents in his personnel file. He did have eight letters of commendation including praise for his action handling rowdy crowds on Bardstown Road and for keeping a suicidal man from taking his life. 

LMPD said it expects to release body camera video within 10 business days, which is standard protocol for shootings involving police officers. 

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