Questions Remain After Louisville Police Release Body Camera Video of Bardstown Road Shooting
Body camera footage released Monday by Louisville Metro Police has shed light on an officer-involved shooting on Bardstown Road, though many questions remain unanswered as investigators continue reviewing the incident.
The video centers on a traffic stop near the Highlands that took place Friday, December 19. Louisville Metro Police Department officials said officers were conducting an unrelated stop when gunfire erupted nearby between two drivers who had been speeding along Bardstown Road moments earlier. An officer fired shots after observing the exchange.
Police later identified one of the drivers as 36-year-old Winthrop Taylor, who authorities say went on a dangerous crime spree that did not end with the shooting captured in the body camera footage.
According to LMPD, two officers were conducting the traffic stop near the Krispy Kreme on Bardstown Road when a Chevrolet Tahoe pulled up, with the driver honking to get their attention. Body camera video shows the driver exiting the vehicle and firing at another car driven by Taylor. Taylor then returned fire.
Officer Nicholas Fischer, who heard the gunfire, fired shots toward the Tahoe driver. It remains unclear whether any shots were directed at the officers themselves.
The driver of the Tahoe was struck in both arms and transported to the hospital, where he is expected to survive. Police said it has not yet been determined whether his injuries were caused by shots fired by Taylor or by the officer. LMPD is working to recover bullet fragments to help determine the source of the gunfire.
After being injured, the victim told officers he was seeking help and expressed regret over exiting his vehicle with a firearm. Police confirmed that the man is not facing any charges related to the incident.
Police also released details outlining Taylor’s alleged crime spree, which court records indicate lasted approximately three hours. Investigators said the sequence of events began around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, when Taylor allegedly carjacked a woman at gunpoint. According to court documents, the vehicle later became disabled after striking a curb.
Police allege Taylor then forced the victim to accompany him to another location, where she reportedly witnessed him take another person’s vehicle. That individual was later released and contacted authorities.
The officer-involved shooting occurred around 12:30 a.m. near the Krispy Kreme as Taylor allegedly fled the scene. Later, around 2:10 a.m., police say Taylor committed another carjacking at gunpoint before leading officers on a brief chase near the Watterson Expressway.
Authorities reported that Taylor crashed the stolen vehicle, attempted to flee on foot, and was later located at the Addison Park Apartments. According to police, a K-9 unit was deployed after Taylor was found hiding in a crawl space. Officers then took him into custody.
Taylor was arrested at approximately 7:19 a.m. and is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder, robbery, attempted murder of a police officer, unlawful imprisonment, and fleeing police.
LMPD officials said the investigation remains ongoing, and additional information will be released as it becomes available.
