Suspect who escaped custody near EKU campus in Richmond apprehended

UPDATE: June 24 at 9 a.m.

An EKU Emergency Alert reported that the suspect who escaped from a hospital near the EKU campus on Wednesday has been apprehended by police on scene.

Logan Gassman, of Washington, North Carolina, was apprehended just after 8:30 a.m. after a roughly 2-hour search involving drones, K9 teams, and multiple law enforcement agencies, Richmond police reported.

The incident began just before 5 a.m. when Richmond Police officers attempted to stop a truck traveling over 100 mph near Interstate 75 mile-marker 85. The driver failed to stop, triggering a pursuit. The driver eventually crashed and fled on foot. Officers captured and arrested Gassman after a short foot pursuit, according to police

Gassman was found to be driving a stolen truck and had multiple out-of-state warrants. Officers transported him to a local medical facility for a suspected DUI.

Around 6:30 a.m., after Gassman was released from medical care, officers placed him — still handcuffed — in the back of a police cruiser. While officers completed procedures with medical personnel, Gassman reportedly escaped from the back compartment and out through the front door of the cruiser. Security cameras captured him fleeing toward a university soccer field while still in handcuffs.

Officers established a perimeter and deployed drones and K9 teams to search woods near the soccer field. Police reported that due to Gassman’s exhibited violent behavior, officers conducted a cautious search as additional support arrived. He was found just after 8:30 a.m. on a nearby transit bus and taken into custody without further incident.

Berea Police Department, Eastern Kentucky University Police Department, and Kentucky State Police assisted in the search.

Original Story:

RICHMOND, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – The Richmond Police Department and Eastern Kentucky University police are responding to a possible dangerous situation on or near the Richmond campus after a suspect reportedly escaped custody from the area of Baptist Health Hospital Wednesday morning.

The suspect, identified as 18-year-old Logan Gassman by Richmond police, is described as a man, who is shirtless, but may have a blue pullover, and wearing black shorts and black sandals. The suspect is handcuffed and was violent but unarmed, police report.

Police noted that Gassman was on foot and was traveling toward the EKU soccer field and DOCJT.

EKU issued an emergency alert Tuesday urging those on or near campus to secure in place.

University officials offered the following guidance:

• Lock or barricade doors and windows and conceal yourself and take cover.
• If a person enters your building with a weapon, immediately evacuate the building.
• If a person is seen outdoors with a weapon, seek shelter in the nearest unsecured building or leave the area.
• Warn other people in the area, provide assistance as you are able, and try to remain calm.
• Look for small, interior, and secure spaces to hide.

This is a developing story and LEX News will have additional information as it becomes available.