Documents reveal London police were at wrong house, lacked operational planning during Doug Harless shooting

(ABC 36 News Now) –

UPDATE: April 10 at 8 p.m.

Kentucky State Police has now released their findings in the investigation into the December 2024 officer-involved shooting of Doug Harless.

According to KSP, London Police officers “believed they were at the correct address based on photos obtained earlier in the day from Google and Apple Maps, and the Laurel County Property Valuation Administration website.”

The agency reports that photos available placed 489 Vanzant Road in the place of Doug Harless’s home, located at 511 Vanzant Road. Additionally, the PVA’s public website “displayed the exterior of 511 Vanzant Road with a listing for 489 Vanzant Road.”

KSP found that officers additionally announced themselves loudly as they knocked on Harless’s door, as well having activated their lights and wearing “police” on their clothes.

“Harless was asleep upon the arrival of LPD officers, and after failing to answer the door in a reasonable amount of time, or comply with lawful orders by police, LPD with knowledge that an occupant could be heard within the residence, made forcible entry through the front door of the residence,” KSP said in the release.

After entering the home and finding Harless armed with a semi-automatic pistol, an LPD officer discharged his weapon, striking Harless five times. He was later pronounced dead on scene.

Following the 13-month investigation, the Kentucky Office of the Attorney General presented these findings to the Laurel County Grand Jury, which returned a “no true bill” and cleared officers of any wrongdoing.

KSP reports that 13 “seasoned KSP investigators” worked on the investigation in Harless’s death.

Original Story:

A newly released case file confirms London police were at the wrong house and lacked a formal operational plan when they shot and killed a man in December 2024.

Kentucky State Police released the nearly 1,000-page investigative report today. In it, a KSP sergeant documented a cluster of 10 mailboxes at the road with several illegible address numbers, raising questions about how officers ended up at the wrong home.

Just days before Christmas, nine officers were looking for stolen lawn equipment when they went to the wrong mobile home and broke down the door. Police say 63-year-old Doug Harless pointed a pistol at them.

Officers shot Harless five times, and he died inside his home.

Investigative records reveal a London police captain who was on the scene had never seen the search warrant before officers executed it, nor after the shooting. Records also show there was no formal operational plan before officers moved in, and no EMS was staged nearby in case someone was hurt.

A grand jury cleared the officers of any wrongdoing in February. The family of Harless sued state police last month to get the investigation records.

Now, the city council is adding body cameras to its police force. Community members also continue to hold monthly vigils demanding justice.