In the early hours of a Wednesday morning in Somerset, Kentucky, the life of 39-year-old Adam Roark was brought to a tragic and violent end. On October 8, 2025, deputies from the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office responded to a distressing 911 call from Roark's wife at their home on Dogwood Lane. Upon arrival at approximately 12:35 a.m., law enforcement discovered Roark in the driveway suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, with his wife desperately trying to apply pressure to his injuries.
Despite the immediate life-saving efforts of his wife and the subsequent arrival of Somerset/Pulaski County EMS, Adam Roark was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to a suspect, 40-year-old James Gleason, a neighbor of the victim. Gleason was found outside his own residence and was taken into custody for questioning. Following his interview with detectives, Gleason was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. He was subsequently booked into the Pulaski County Detention Center, with his bond set at $1 million.
During the investigation, Gleason made bizarre claims to the authorities regarding his motive for the shooting. He alleged that for years, he and his wife had been threatened by Roark with what he termed 'direct energy weapons.' Gleason stated that on the night of the incident, he felt threatened by Roark, who was walking up the road, prompting him to 'take matters into his own hands' and shoot him multiple times. Gleason also claimed to have seen a firearm under Roark's arm, but a search of the scene yielded no weapon on or near the victim. The case was later sent to a grand jury, and Gleason's attorney has expressed a desire for his client to undergo a mental evaluation.
