KSP: 27-year-old Johnson County man facing murder charges following shooting altercation

THEALKA, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW via LEX NEWS) – A 27-year-old Johnson County man is facing murder charges following a shooting incident that occurred in Thealka on Saturday, according to Kentucky State Police (KSP).

According to a press release, KSP Post 9 was contacted by Paintsville 911 Dispatch regarding a shooting in Johnson County on Saturday. Troopers responded to a residence on Main Camp Branch in Thealka and located Richard Roberts of River, Kentucky, unresponsive in the driveway with what appeared to be a gunshot wound

A preliminary investigation by authorities revealed that 27-year-old Blake Webb of West Van Lear allegedly discharged a firearm, striking Roberts during a physical altercation. According to KSP, Webb allegedly fled the scene after the incident.

Roberts was pronounced dead on-scene by the Johnson County Coroner’s Office. Webb was later located and taken into custody at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center. Webb is facing the following charges: murder, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, KSP reports.

This investigation remains ongoing by KSP. Assisting Post 9 troopers on-scene was the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and the Paintsville Police Department.

This is an ongoing story, and ABC 36 News will provide more information as it becomes available.