Two States Investigate Apparent Kentucky Police Shooting of Black Man

Officials in two states are investigating a fatal shooting by a Kentucky deputy during a two-hour pursuit of robbery suspects who fled in a tractor-trailer. Levi Alexander, 26, of Puryear, Tenn., was shot during the chase, Kentucky State Police said. Alexander's body was found in the tractor-trailer after the chase ended around 7 a.m. CST Monday in Henry County, Tenn. Calloway County Sheriff Larry Roberts said one of his sheriff's deputies apparently fired the shots that killed Alexander. "It looks that way,'' Roberts said Tuesday. The officer, Detective Sgt. James Wright, 53, was placed on administrative leave with pay pending the investigation, Roberts said. Wright has talked with state police and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, which are investigating, Roberts said. Wright has been with the Calloway County department for four years and was previously a deputy in New Orleans for about 25 years, Roberts said. He said he did not foresee any disciplinary action as a result of the shooting. He said Wright was trying to disable the vehicle and did not intend to harm anyone. "It had just gotten to the point that we had to get the truck stopped,'' Roberts said. ``... It was getting to the time of day when school buses would be out, children would be out. It was never any intent to strike any persons in the vehicle. It was simply an intent to disable the vehicle. Unfortunately, you can't predict where a bullet ends up. It was something we all regret, him particularly.'' Mehr said TBI is assisting Kentucky State police in the investigation. [more]