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Kentucky Police Fatally Shoot Alleged Cop-Killer

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Casey Harper Contributor
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A Missouri man who allegedly fatally shot a police officer after fleeing a traffic stop has been killed by police.

Joseph Thomas Johnson-Shanks of St. Louis allegedly fatally shot Kentucky Trooper Joseph Cameron Ponder Sunday, and was fatally shot by police Monday. Johnson-Shanks allegedly ran from the officer during a traffic stop.

Police say Johnson-Shanks took off in his car and Ponder chased him. Johnson-Shanks then slammed on his brakes causing Ponder to rear end him.

That’s when police say Johnson-Shanks turned and peppered the police car with gunfire, hitting the car and killing Ponder.

Police found Johnson-Shanks Monday morning.

“Upon making contact with Johnson-Shanks, Troopers of the Special Response Team (SRT) observed him with a firearm and instructed him to relinquish it,” Kentucky State Police said on Facebook. “Johnson-Shanks refused verbal commands and aimed the weapon at the Troopers.”

That’s when an officer fatally shot Johnson-Shanks.

Kelly Ponder posted on the Kentucky State Police Facebook page:

“My brother was the best man in the world and did not deserve what happened to him.”

This violence comes at a sensitive time, where tensions between police and black communities is tense and recent highly publicized cop killings have increased fear that police are in danger.

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