New information reveals why London Police officers were serving a search warrant at 511 Vanzant Road the night of the officer-involved shooting just over two weeks ago.
The shooting remains under investigation by the Kentucky State Police, whose Post 11 in London was requested by London Police Department at 11:53 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23 to investigate an officer-involved shooting of 63-year-old Douglas Harless in his home at 511 Vanzant Road in the Lily community.
KSP initially shared that the preliminary investigation indicated London Police Department officers were following up on an investigation with an attempt to execute a search warrant.
However, the release of 911 dispatch audio suggested that the shooting occurred at an incorrect address, raising concerns within the community.
Numerous media reports have connected the LPD investigation to the arrest of a Clay County man just hours before the shooting.
A uniform citation from London Police Department and obtained by the Sentinel-Echo states that Hobert Buttery, 49, of Manchester, was arrested at 7:34 p.m. Dec. 23 for stealing belongings from 508 Taylor Drive in London.
The items reported as stolen include a heater, four backpack blowers, three weed eaters, and a pole saw. According to the citation, Buttery only acknowledged taking a Stihl weed eater and heater from the backyard. He informed authorities that he had taken the weed eater to “a house in Lily” and the heater to a pawn shop in Manchester.
The items were appraised as a little over $4,000 — making the act a Class D felony. According to the arrest report, Buttery took the belongings at 10:01 p.m. Dec. 22. The items were reported as missing to LPD on Dec. 23.
Laurel County Judge-Executive David Westerfield told the Sentinel-Echo that, though the Taylor Drive residence belongs to him and his wife Karen, the stolen items belonged to his nephew.
“My nephew called me — he keeps his lawn mowing equipment in my garage — and he told me what had happened and called the police,” Westerfield stated. “Nothing they stole was mine. It was all his.”
Westerfield’s nephew owns a lawn-mowing service for which Buttery worked shortly prior. According to the arrest citation, Buttery had attempted to regain his position unsuccessfully.
Judge Westerfield offered his condolences to the Harless’ family. “I can’t imagine what the family is going through at this time,” he said.
Buttery had a preliminary hearing in Laurel County District Court Thursday morning with Chief District Judge John Paul Chappell. During the hearing, it was revealed that there were no witnesses to the crime.
Judge Chappell found probable cause and the case was sent to a grand jury for Jan. 17 at 9 a.m. Buttery’s bond remains $10,000.
“I told them on Vanzant Road, there was a weed eater there, and they took it to where they wanted to go with that,” Buttery stated in an interview with WKYT Thursday. “I used to live down over the hill down there where they were supposed to go to that address, but they went to the wrong address, is what it was.”
Court records show Buttery previously resided at 515 Vanzant Road, not far from the address of Harless, where the shooting took place. However, the intended address per dispatch audio was 489 Vanzant.
In the dispatch audio, one individual can be heard stating, “Units on scene attempted to serve a search warrant. Calling on the radio for assistance. Shots fired. 489 Vanzant Road.”
The station later obtained a neighbor’s surveillance footage from the night of the shooting. The video begins at 11:50 p.m., with the police banging on Harless’ door and announcing themselves. Shortly thereafter, officers can be seen scattering throughout the yard before five gunshots are fired.
The officers then radioed for assistance. This is when the inconsistent address is stated multiple times.
KSP collected pieces of evidence on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, which could benefit the investigation. During KSP Detective James Royal’s search of the 511 Vanzant Road property, he found five used .223 shell casings, a light bulb security camera, a Nokia cell phone, and a Taurus nine-millimeter handgun and holster.
According to Det. Royal’s search warrant, the light bulb security camera and cell phone could better show what occurred that night when the LPD officers attempted to enter the home.
LPD announced on Dec. 26 that the still-unnamed officer who fatally shot Harless has been placed on administrative leave. The post said the officer fired after “the occupant of the residence produced a firearm and pointed it at officers.”
Though life-saving measures were performed on scene, according to KSP, Harless succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling’s office.
No other injuries were reported.
LPD officers were not wearing body-cams, as they suspended their use as of March 2023.
Several individuals have voiced their opinions on the incident. Among them is Doris Lawson, who has organized two events this month to urge justice for Harless, one of which already took place on Saturday.
The second protest is scheduled for Jan. 25 at 11:30 a.m. The event will begin in the Big Lots parking lot located in Carnaby Square. Protesters will walk from the store along Main Street to the Cessna & George law office, before then returning to Big Lots.
Lawson encourages attendees to wear black attire to the marches and remain peaceful. Updates regarding the protest will be posted to a Facebook event page titled “Justice for Doug.”
A Facebook group also titled “Justice for Doug” is quickly gaining traction, with at least 1,600 followers at press time.
London Mayor Randall Weddle made public comment on the incident on Dec. 26, stating, “My heart goes out to everyone affected by this incident. The family and friends of the individual remain in our thoughts and prayers, as well as the officers involved.”
Mayor Weddle has since posted about the incident again, encouraging residents to refrain from “jumping to conclusions.”
“The rumors and speculation circulating on social media are not facts,” the mayor wrote. “Assuming or spreading misinformation does not serve justice or our community.”
Some members of London City Council have expressed concerns regarding the situation as well.
“I requested all documents related to the incident that occurred,” Council Member Stacy Benge commented.
Benge verified that the request had been received, though he had not attained a response at press time.
Anthony Ortega, the newest addition to the council, shared a public Facebook post stating, “I am deeply saddened by the recent officer-involved shooting in our community. My heart goes out to the family of Doug Harless and to the family of the officers involved.”
The Sentinel-Echo filed an open records request to view the LPD’s search warrant. A response was received three business days later, redirecting the Sentinel-Echo to Laurel Circuit Clerk Roger Schott. Schott said that his office does not possess the document at this time.
This remains a developing story.