In the rural community of Phelps, Kentucky, a confrontation on a Sunday morning in July of 2016 ended in the death of 32-year-old John A. Casey. A Kentucky State Trooper had been dispatched to the area to investigate a complaint of an assault. Upon their arrival, an encounter with Casey unfolded.
According to the state police, during the interaction, Casey threw a rock which struck a trooper in the face. Immediately following this, Casey was reported to have reached into his pocket.
Believing Casey was retrieving a weapon, the trooper discharged his firearm. The object Casey had reached for was later identified as a beer can. John A. Casey was pronounced dead at the scene.
The sister of John Casey, however, disputed the official account, stating that her brother had not been involved in any altercation prior to the trooper's arrival. The case was presented to a grand jury to determine if the trooper's actions were justified. After reviewing the evidence, the grand jury ultimately decided not to indict the trooper in the fatal shooting. This decision meant that no criminal charges would be filed against the officer involved in the death of John A. Casey.
