Full Breakdown
Kentucky State Police Trooper Killed in Interstate 65 Shooting; Suspect Arrested
By Drooid · · How we work
Timeline of Events
- Monday, September 28, 2026 (? 2 p.m.) – Trooper Hayden Phillips, Unit 369, stopped a vehicle on northbound I-65 in Warren County. An occupant opened fire, fatally wounding Phillips.
- Shortly after the shooting – Kentucky State Police (KSP) issued a Blue Alert, describing the suspect as armed and dangerous and releasing a photo of a bluish-gray Honda Civic with Alabama temporary tag TN018596.
- Afternoon – The alert was updated with the suspect’s identity: 51-year-old Emonnie Branch of Portland, Tennessee.
- Later Monday evening – Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) located Branch’s vehicle near Dixie Highway, used a grappler device to stop it, and took Branch into custody.
- ? 5:30 p.m. – KSP announced the Blue Alert was cancelled.
- 8 p.m. – KSP held a press conference in Bowling Green; Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. confirmed Phillips had been killed and that Branch would be transported back to Warren County to face state murder charges.
Key Figures
- Hayden Phillips – Kentucky State Police trooper, Unit 369, assigned to Post 3 in Bowling Green; graduate of Cadet Class 103 (2023); age 30.
- Emonnie Branch – 51-year-old male from Portland, Tennessee; identified as the shooter; described as a Black man with dreadlocks.
- Phillip Burnett Jr. – Colonel, Kentucky State Police commissioner.
- Andy Beshear – Governor of Kentucky.
- Kyle G. Bumgarner – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky.
- Russell Coleman – Attorney General of Kentucky.
Official Statements & Responses
- **U.S.
- Attorney General Coleman described Phillips as “one of Kentucky’s finest” and affirmed that detectives from his office will continue to support KSP colleagues.
- Hardin County Chief Deputy David Lee warned residents to avoid the suspect, noting the danger of the suspect attempting to “get rid of that car.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Mile-marker location: Several outlets (e.g., newschannel5, fox17) placed the shooting near mile marker 38, while others (e.g., wsmv, cedarnews) reported the vehicle was last seen near mile marker 75. The exact location has not been clarified by investigators.
- Details of the traffic stop: KSP has not released information about what prompted the stop or the sequence of events leading to the shooting; the investigation remains ongoing.
Verbatim Quotes
- “His dedication to duty and commitment to the commonwealth will not be forgotten,” — Colonel Phillip Burnett, state police commissioner
- “Our hearts break for Trooper Phillips’ family, loved ones, and fellow troopers,” — Colonel Phillip Burnett, state police commissioner
- “Kentucky, please join Britainy and me as we pray for the family of Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips, whose life was taken today after being shot in the line of duty,” — Gov. Andy Beshear, governor
- “This is among, if not among it’s the most heinous crime that can be committed in our Commonwealth,” — Kyle G. Bumgarner
- “Even more, he was a devoted husband and loving father to three children. Let us wrap our arms around this family during this unimaginable time,” — Gov. Andy Beshear, governor