In the early morning hours of a February day in Harlan County, Kentucky, a violent encounter shattered the quiet of a residence off Shope Lane. Matthew Smith, a 39-year-old man, was inside the home when Richard G. Cody, 59, used a key to gain entry. The situation escalated rapidly as Cody, the estranged husband of the woman who lived there, allegedly opened fire, striking Smith multiple times.
The call reporting the shooting came into the Kentucky State Police at 8:50 a.m.
on Saturday, February 15, 2020. Emergency services transported Smith to Harlan ARH hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced deceased. The shooter, Richard G. Cody, did not remain at the scene. He fled the state, heading south into Washington County, Tennessee.
Authorities in Tennessee were able to locate and apprehend Cody. He was taken into custody and faced charges of murder and two counts of wanton endangerment in the first degree. Following his arrest, the process to extradite him back to Harlan County to face the charges began. The investigation into the shooting was handled by detectives from the Kentucky State Police, Post 10 in Harlan.
