LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The officer Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul Humphrey said he planned to fire for fatally shooting a naked man has resigned.
Humphrey said Officer Nathan Stotts shot and killed 27-year-old Martin Nitzken Jr., who he said was unarmed. Stotts was hired in February 2024 and assigned to LMPD's Sixth Division and had no prior disciplinary history.
In a statement Monday, LMPD said Humphrey accepted Stotts' resignation, and it is effective immediately.
Police said the resignation does not stop the termination process. It just eliminates a possibility for an appeal.
LMPD said the resignation ensures "that Mr. Stotts is immediately and permanently separated from LMPD. His personnel record will reflect that he resigned while in the process of being terminated."
LMPD Deputy Chief Ryan Bates said Saturday, May 30, that police responded just before 9:30 p.m. to the 3000 block of Cromarty Way after multiple calls related to an assault. Police said the caller told dispatch at least three people had been assaulted and requested EMS. Officers were then told that the suspect was running down the road without clothes on, police said.
Once at the scene, a witness told police where the suspect was. Bates said the officer, later identified as Stotts, found a naked man sitting in the street. He said Stotts told the suspect multiple times to show his hands. Then, the man stood up and began walking toward Stotts.
Police said Stotts told the suspect to stop, but he continued toward him. That's when Stotts shot the man, Bates said.
Officers who arrived as backup rendered aid, but Nitzken died at the scene.
According to LMPD, the investigative findings will be provided to the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council, or KLEC, which will determine whether Stotts' officer certification will be revoked.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case for potential criminal charges.
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