A judge in Franklin County has temporarily blocked the release of investigative records tied to a 2024 police shooting that left a Laurel County man dead, intensifying an ongoing legal dispute over transparency.
The ruling prevents the Kentucky State Police from sharing its case files related to the fatal shooting of Douglas “Doug” Harless by officers from the London Police Department.
The case stems from a controversial incident just before Christmas Eve 2024 in Laurel County, where city police reportedly carried out a raid at the wrong residence. Authorities allegedly forced entry into Harless’ home while operating outside their jurisdiction and acting on a warrant believed to be intended for a different address. Harless was shot and killed after officers claimed he pointed a firearm at them.
The investigation has drawn significant public attention, especially after a grand jury declined to bring charges against the officers involved, prompting renewed calls for accountability from the victim’s family and community members.
At the center of the legal battle is access to the state police’s investigative file. While such records are typically subject to open records laws once a case concludes, both the City of London and its police department have expressed intentions to conduct an internal review—potentially limiting public access again.
Attorneys representing the Harless family filed a lawsuit seeking immediate release of the records before they could be transferred to local authorities. The court granted a temporary order in their favor, pausing any release or transfer until further legal review.
The court is now awaiting a formal response from Kentucky State Police as the case proceeds.
Meanwhile, the Harless family has also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of London, alleging officers acted negligently by failing to confirm the correct address before executing the raid.
Community members continue to hold vigils, calling for justice and greater transparency in the case.