Danville police officer involved in fatal shooting Sunday night at apartment complex

DANVILLE, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) — A police officer in Danville was involved in a fatal shooting Sunday night while responding to a call involving a man reported to be in crisis.

According to the Danville Police Department, officers were called to the Center Estates Apartments around 9:37 p.m. after a report of a suicidal man armed with a knife. Police say the caller told dispatch the man had threatened to harm himself and had shared images of injuries through social media.

When officers arrived, they attempted to make contact and breach the door to provide assistance. Police say officers later encountered 29-year-old Cody Downey outside the residence and repeatedly ordered him to drop a knife.

Authorities say Downey then moved toward officers while holding the knife, knocking one officer to the ground. During that encounter, the officer fired his gun, striking Downey.

Downey was taken to the hospital, where he later died.

Police say the incident was captured on officers’ body-worn cameras. The officer involved, a 10-year law enforcement veteran, has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard in officer-involved shootings.

The Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team is now investigating the shooting.