LONDON, Ky. (WKYT) – One year after Kentucky State Police say Doug Harless was shot and killed inside his home by London police, his family and the Laurel County community continue searching for answers.
Harless lost his life Dec. 21, 2023, during an attempt to serve a search warrant just two days before Christmas. His death has prompted countless protests and vigils demanding justice in the year since.
A vigil honoring Harless is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the site where he was killed.
The shooting
Nearly a dozen London Police officers surrounded Harless’ home at 511 Vanzant Road at 11:50 p.m. on Dec. 21, 2023. Surveillance video from a neighbor captured officers banging on the door, followed by gunshots.
Kentucky State Police say one of those officers shot and killed Harless.
According to dispatch audio, London Police were attempting to serve a warrant for 489 Vanzant Road — not Harless’ address at 511 Vanzant Road.
“It breaks our heart every time we hear them gunshots, knowing our brother was on the other side of that door,” said Angie Martin, Harless’ sister.
The investigation
Requests for a copy of the warrant have been repeatedly denied, but state police have filed their own warrants for evidence tied to their investigation. Those warrants reveal London Police were looking for stolen lawn equipment.
“Someone needs to be held accountable for busting in our brother’s door in the middle of the night over a weedeater and within a minute and 30 seconds shooting and killing him,” Martin said.
London Police Chief Bobby Day was at Harless’ home that night. He says he’s waiting for answers from KSP’s ongoing investigation.
“Nobody wants to get those answers to the people of London, Laurel County, the community, as well as the Harless family, more than we do,” Day said.
Legal action
The family has filed a lawsuit against the city, the police department and the officers involved.
“This was a botched investigation, a violation of Mr. Harless’s rights. They had no right to be on his property. They certainly had no right to barge into his home and take his life,” said Ashley Abaray, the family’s attorney.
Court documents show the lawn equipment officers were looking for was taken from a property belonging to Laurel County Judge Executive David Westerfield. He called Laurel County dispatch the day after Harless’ death for information about the theft case.
Kentucky State Police’s investigation into Harless’ death remains ongoing. The case has been handed to special prosecutor Matthew Leveridge, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Russell and Wayne Counties, who will decide whether to file criminal charges.
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