5 police shootings in 30 days: How Louisville is coping And GRAPHIC body cam video from two officers who were responding

5 police shootings in 30 days: How Louisville is coping

LOUISVILLE, KY (ANN) - There have been five police shootings in Jefferson County in 30 days. Only one of them was not fatal.


Meanwhile, nationally this year, on average one officer has been killed a week.


"We see there's a problem, but we have to have some solutions," Dr. Steven Kelsey told WAVE 3 News. He is retired from the Louisville Metro Police Department, and sits on a citizens advisory board.


He said before emotions flare, both citizens and officers need to think about what they would do if approached by an armed person.


Thursday afternoon, LMPD released body cam video from two officers who were responding to a call for service. When they arrived to the home in the 400 block of 42nd Street, they were told a man was inside trying to set it on fire.

When officers walked up to the door, the video shows the suspect, 42-year-old Isaac Jackson, strike an officer in the leg with a knife. The body camera video also shows the other officer appear to dodge his head before shooting his weapon. The suspect died at the hospital.

This incident came just two days after the previous officer-involved shooting, during which the suspect shot at police. Officers fired back, killing the suspect.


Kelsey added in regard to the rash of police shootings: If policies and procedures were violated, then the officers should get in trouble. But, if a suspect shoots first, the officer has the duty to protect not only their own life, but the innocent lives around him.


Chief Conrad also confirmed threats had been made to LMPD via social media. Two patrol cars will now respond to every call for service, he said.


Conrad acknowledged how difficult the past few weeks have been for the officers and the community after back-to-back officer-involved shootings.


Conrad addressed the troubling pattern of recent instances where officers end up shoot at suspects.


"It's concerning," he said. "It creates anxiety. It creates stress for our community and for our officers ... Policing is dangerous."