Estate files lawsuit after deadly Knott County officer-involved shooting

KNOTT COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The estate of Travis Pratt has filed a lawsuit in Knott County Circuit Court following a deadly officer-involved shooting in 2024.

The lawsuit names a trooper with Kentucky State Police and a deputy with the Knott County Sheriff’s Office.

Attorneys for the estate say that on September 8, Pratt’s mother called Kentucky State Police reporting that her 35-year-old son was acting erratically and that she was concerned for his mental well-being.

The following day, authorities received another call reporting Pratt standing on a porch in Littcarr with a knife. According to the lawsuit, the caller mistakenly believed Pratt was the wanted Interstate 75 shooting suspect, Joseph Couch.

Attorneys claim the caller fired shots, prompting Pratt to enter a neighboring home to escape.

The complaint states that when Trooper Bruce Kelley and Deputy Wesley Bolen arrived, they found Pratt inside the bathroom of the home.

According to the lawsuit, after attempts to calm Pratt and subdue him with a taser were unsuccessful, Bolen fired his weapon, resulting in Pratt’s death.

Kentucky State Police say both Trooper Kelley and Deputy Bolen were placed on administrative leave following the incident.

The Knott County Sheriff’s Office says it has no comment on the situation. ABC36 News has also reached out to Kentucky State Police and is awaiting a response.