A seemingly hard fought battle over a stolen law tool, specifically a weed eater, has put local officials in the spotlight after a Lily, Kentucky resident was allegedly tragically killed during the investigation. If that does not sound horrific enough, the story gets a lot worse.

Just before Christmas in 2024, 63-year-old Doug Harless, a local resident of London, Kentucky was inside his home when a neighboring security camera captured footage of police arriving to conduct a search warrant at 489 Vanzant Road, as heard on police communications, But Doug Harless lives at 511 Vanzant Road. It would appear that police were allegedly at the wrong address.

Conducting a search warrant at a private property is typical vetted ahead of time by law enforcement, specifically if the warrant is issued well in advance and the investigation is ongoing. There are instances when officers need to act quickly and the vetting process is minimal, recovering stolen equipment does not typically fall into a category in which officers would need to act immediately. But it would appear that the warrant information, such as the location itself, was not properly vetted. Online property data also shows that the 511 Vanzant address is mislabeled as being 489 Vanzant Road. If the location were vetted ahead of time, the large black numbers on the home that read, “511.” would have been clear to see in the daylight hours.

The neighboring security camera footage was the first piece of information the public was given after the search warrant was conducted. Local law enforcement has remained silent in the face of concerned residents and the family of Doug Harless, who have united to seek answers.

The security camera footage shows police arrive and approach the home of Doug Harless, just moments later police are seen rushing into the residence and firing multiple shots. Police have claimed that Doug Harless pointed a weapon at them as they entered the home at 11:53 p.m. just two nights before Christmas.

While the community is still putting the pieces together, without cooperation from local officials, the details of the allegedly botched search warrant continue to spiral down a rabbit hole of information that would make any resident question the actions of local authorities and the safety of any resident who may find themself at the center of police negligence.

Following the shooting of Doug Harless, the community was seeking very basic answers about what happened. Residents quickly became concerned about the information being hidden from them. They were not demanding specifics about the investigation, they were seeking very basic details that are typically released after any police involved shooting incident.

Unfortunately, London Police Department has not used body worn cameras since 2023, citing that the cameras are outside of their budget. The decision was announced in 2023 by Chief Chuck Johnson.

A man named Elijah Jarvis spoke to FOX 56 at the end of January and detailed an incident that happened after he filed an open records request for the 911 call that was placed in relation to the shooting of Doug Harless by Judge Executive David Westerfield and London Police Officer Jared Hale. Jarvis claimed that the director and assistant director intercepted his mail to alter the open records request, and Jarvis brought receipts.

When Jarvis arrived at FedEx to pick up the open records request he was told that two men who were standing in a corner, they had his package. The Laurel County 911 Director Larry Walls and Assistant Director Tyler Pierce can be seen in a photo provided by Jarvis, the two men are allegedly standing over his mail and “redacting” the documents with a marker.

Legal and open records experts have been offering their opinion of the situation and seem to agree that what the two 911 communications officials did was not legal.

Following the shooting, residents have protested in Laurel County, Kentucky and voiced their concerns on social media, in city council meetings, and outside on public sidewalks. The silence and self concerned commentary from officials continues to frustrate the community. Meanwhile, the Kentucky State Police are allegedly investigating and residents are eager to hear the outcome.