Contact: ATF Special Agent Laura Volk
(205) 329-9885

ATF Senior Special Agent Patrick Berarducci
(614) 496-4518

For Immediate Release
October 2, 2004

 

ATF, KSP End Stand-Off With Kentucky Suspect

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Kentucky State Police ended a three-day standoff with a barricade suspect in Bowling Green, Ky. today. The standoff ended with the suspect Russell Sublett, 41, surrendering after hours of on-going negotiations with ATF agents, KSP and a Bowling Green Police Department officer.

Sublett was taken into custody and transported to The Medical Center in Bowling Green for treatment of injuries sustained during the standoff. During the course of the standoff he fired approximately 200 rounds. He was wounded during exchanges of gunfire with ATF agents and KSP officers. The extent of Sublett's injuries is undetermined, but do not appear to be life threatening. ATF agents and KSP officers were not injured during the exchange of gunfire. Sublett was transported to The Medical Center in Bowling Green for treatment.

ATF's SRT was activated Thursday to assist ATF agents and Kentucky State Police (KSP) after Sublett barricaded himself in the house early Wednesday evening. The incident began when Sublett fled when ATF agents and KSP troopers were attempting a vehicle stop away from his residence so that they could serve a search warrant at his home. Attempts to stop the suspect ended with Sublett purposely crashing the car into the house where he barricaded himself. The occupants of the house were not in the residence.

ATF agents and KSP negotiators tried to communicate with Sublett throughout the incident. Initial attempts to communicate with Sublett were met with silence or him firing rounds at ATF agents and KSP SRT. "We were concerned for his safety, as well as all the officers and the members of the community," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Karl L. Stankovic, Louisville Field Division.

"The collaborative efforts of all the law enforcement agencies involved in this operation were instrumental in the surrender of Sublett," said Stankovic. "Thanks to patience an perseverance we were able to get the suspect out safely. We want to thank the community for their patience and support," said Major Jeff Hancock of the Kentucky State Police.

Agencies involved in this incident are the ATF, KSP troopers and SRT, Warren County Sheriff's Department, Metropolitan Lexington Bomb Squad, Metropolitan Nashville SWAT Team and Bowling Green Police Department.



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