Federal fugitive arrested in Laurel County

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – A federal fugitive from Virginia has been found and arrested in Laurel County. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office and the Central Kentucky Fugitive Task Force attempted to take 71-year-old Byron Howard into custody in the Keavy area.

Authorities say Howard led officials on a pursuit that ended when he left the roadway and hit a tree. During the incident, he fired two shots at officials before surrendering peacefully. Howard was taken to Baptist Hospital in Corbin for treatment.

He faces charges of attempted murder on a police officer, wanton endangerment, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Once discharged from the hospital, Howard will be housed in the Laurel County Detention Center.