Here is what is known so far.
The Traffic Stop on Interstate 65
The fatal incident occurred on Monday afternoon, September 28, along northbound Interstate 65 in Warren County, near Smiths Grove and Bowling Green.
Kentucky State Police said Trooper Phillips had conducted a traffic stop near mile marker 39. During the encounter, the driver of the vehicle shot Phillips. The suspect then fled from the area.
The initial information released by authorities described the incident as a severe attack on an on-duty state trooper.
The shooting immediately triggered a major law-enforcement
response. Investigators worked to identify the vehicle and locate the person believed to have been involved.
According to Kentucky State Police, investigators used witness information as well as footage from Phillips’ patrol vehicle and body-worn camera to help develop information about the suspect vehicle.
Authorities eventually identified the suspect as 51-year-old Emonnie Branch of Portland, Tennessee.
A statewide public-safety alert was issued as authorities searched for the vehicle.
The Suspect Was Arrested in Louisville
The search did not remain confined to Warren County.
Kentucky State Police said that shortly after 5 p.m., a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle was located in Louisville.
Louisville Metro Police Department officers stopped the vehicle on Dixie Highway near Burwell Avenue using a Grappler device. The vehicle’s operator and sole occupant was taken into custody without further incident, according to Kentucky State Police.
Authorities said there were no other reported injuries
during the arrest.
Branch was subsequently taken into custody and charged in connection with Phillips’ death. Kentucky State Police identified the charge as Murder of First Responder (Peace Officer).
Because this is a criminal case, the allegations against Branch remain allegations unless and until they are established through the legal process.
New Details From the Criminal Complaint
More information emerged in the days following the shooting.
According to court documents reported by local news outlets, Phillips had stopped a blue-gray Honda Civic after observing an expired temporary registration tag.
WDRB/WAVE reported that a criminal complaint states Phillips’ in-car camera captured the fatal encounter. The report says Phillips was leaning toward the vehicle’s window and speaking with Branch when he was shot.
