In the early morning hours of February 18, 2023, in the Hazard community of Perry County, Kentucky, the life of 29-year-old Ryan Chase Whitaker was tragically cut short. A verbal disagreement with another man escalated into a physical confrontation that ultimately led to Whitaker suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was discovered in the driveway of a residence on Gambill Drive.
Law enforcement and emergency responders arrived at the scene to find Whitaker, a resident of Hazard,
gravely injured. Despite any efforts to assist him, he was pronounced deceased at the location by the Perry County Coroner's Office. The investigation into the shooting was swiftly initiated by the Kentucky State Police, Post 13, in Hazard.
The preliminary investigation indicated that the fatal encounter began as a dispute. The altercation intensified, leading to the discharge of a firearm. As a result of the investigation, authorities identified 27-year-old Troy Campbell, also of Hazard, as the individual involved in the altercation with Whitaker.
Following the investigation at the scene, Campbell was taken into custody by law enforcement. He was subsequently arrested and transported to the Kentucky River Regional Jail. He has been charged with one count of murder in connection with the death of Ryan Chase Whitaker. The case remains under the investigation of Detective Robert Dials of the Kentucky State Police.
