Louisville police shoot man they say refused to drop gun after traffic stop near Churchill Downs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville Metro Police are investigating after officers shot a man they said refused to drop his weapon after running from a traffic stop near Churchill Downs on Friday.

LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said officers initiated a traffic stop at South 4th Street and Central Avenue around 9:15 p.m.

That's when a passenger, an adult male, exited the vehicle with a pistol with an "extended magazine" and fled from officers.

Gwinn-Villaroel said officers pursued the man down South 4th Street "for a short distance," giving "multiple verbal commands" for the man to drop the weapon.

The man "continued to disregard the officers' request" which led to an officer discharging his gun.

Gwinn-Villaroel said once the suspect "was no longer a threat," officers began rendering aid.

The man was transported to University of Louisville Hospital where he's listed in stable condition. The extent of his injuries was not provided.

"We are fortunate that no other community members were hurt and none of the officers were injured during this incident," Gwinn-Villaroel said. "LMPD will remain vigilant in fighting violent crime. We will continue to be proactive in our manner of policing in the city of Louisville in a constitutional manner."

Body camera footage of the shooting will be released within 10 business days, per the department's new protocol, the chief said.

Anyone with information about the shooting, or anyone who may have video of the incident, is asked to call LMPD's anonymous Crime Tip Line at (502) 574-LMPD (5763). Tips can also be submitted anonymously online through the department's Crime Tip Portal by clicking here.