Full Breakdown
Former Louisville Officer Charged with Manslaughter in Fatal Shooting of Unarmed Naked Man
6/16/2026, 5:11:31 AM
Fatal Shooting and Charges
On May 30, 2026, former Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) officer Nathan A. Stotts shot 27-year-old Martin Nitzken Jr. after responding to assault calls. Dispatch described the suspect as naked and running. Body-camera video shows Stotts ordering the man to stop; when Nitzken rose and moved toward the officer, Stotts fired a round, killing him. A grand jury on June 2 declined a murder charge but indicted Stotts on second-degree manslaughter and reckless homicide.
Timeline
May 30, 2026 – Shooting just before 9:30 p.m. on Cromarty Way.
June 2, 2026 – Grand jury indicts Stotts on manslaughter and reckless homicide; Chief Humphrey initiates termination.
June 3, 2026 – Stotts resigns.
June 22, 2026 – Arraignment scheduled.
Findings to be sent to KLEC for possible certification revocation.
Key Figures
Key individuals are former officer Nathan A. Stotts (joined LMPD Feb 2024, no prior discipline), Chief Paul Humphrey (initiated termination), Deputy Chief Ryan Bates (incident details), Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerina Whethers (announced charges), and the Kentucky Law Enforcement Council (KLEC) (certification revocation).
Official Statements & Responses
Chief Humphrey said the shooting violated LMPD training and values and that he was responsible for taking action. Deputy Chief Bates said Stotts repeatedly ordered Nitzken to show his hands and confirmed he was unarmed. Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office noted the grand jury returned a “no true bill” on murder and outlined the manslaughter and reckless homicide charges. LMPD stressed transparency, accountability and cooperation while limiting further comment pending investigations.
Criticism & Opposition
Humphrey said non-lethal force would have been preferable, indicating the shooting was unnecessary. The department’s effort to rebuild trust follows 2020 Breonna Taylor shooting and recent dismissal of charges against those officers.
Data & Statistics
- Charges: Second-degree manslaughter (max 5–10 years) and reckless homicide (max 1–5 years).
- Employment: Stotts served roughly two years with LMPD, joining in early 2024.
On-the-Ground Report
Body-camera footage shows Stotts with his weapon drawn, repeatedly ordering the naked suspect to stop before firing as the man advanced.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The grand jury declined a murder charge, yet the department’s internal review deemed lethal force unacceptable. No details are provided about Nitzken’s mental state or prior police contact.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Sometimes we have to make decisions to take people's lives, and this was not one of them,” — Paul Humphrey, LMPD Chief
- “naked, stumbling and unarmed.” — Paul Humphrey, LMPD Chief
- “After reviewing the video, 911 calls, dispatch and other preliminary information, I've made the decision to begin the termination process of Nathan Stotts from the Louisville Metro Police Department,” — Paul Humphrey, LMPD Chief
- “We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and cooperation with all reviewing agencies.” — Louisville Metro Police Department
What's Next
Stotts will appear in court on June 22, and KLEC will decide whether to revoke his certification. Ongoing criminal and internal investigations are expected to shape future policy and oversight.
