LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Louisville Metro Police SWAT officer shot and killed a homicide suspect Thursday afternoon after a nearly 25-minute standoff just south of Churchill Downs.
The Swat Team responded to the 700 block of West Whitney Avenue at 1 p.m. to serve an active arrest warrant, Deputy Chief Emily McKinley said.
The suspect, identified by court documents as 21-year-old Michael Hristov, was wanted on charges of murder, assault and abuse of a corpse.
When officers arrived, McKinley said they tried to get Hristov to come out of the home, but he refused. Police said he then started shooting at officers from inside the residence.
At the time of this confrontation, police said Hristov called dispatch and said he was armed and "wanted the SWAT officers to shoot and kill him."
Officers spent nearly 25 minutes trying to get Hristov to come out of the home, deploying chemical agents in an effort to force him outside.
Police said Hristov then exited onto the porch armed with a handgun, wearing a helmet and ballistic vest.
Officers ordered the Hristov to drop the weapon, police said, but he continued firing. At least one SWAT officer then discharged their weapon, hitting Hristov.
Hristov was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said Hristov was just indicted by a grand jury Wednesday on murder and assault charges connected to separate incidents in December 2025, including the stabbing and dismemberment of a homeless person beneath the Interstate 65 overpass in the 2500 block of Crittenden Drive, and a stabbing near Eastern Parkway and Crittenden Drive.
Thirteen-year-old Mariea Brock, who lives in the area, said crime is common in the neighborhood.
"There's a lot, but usually the cops don't really get to in time and stuff like that," Brock said. "So it usually just goes by... yeah, (the shooting) really freaks me out."
"It's very scary," she said. "Makes me not want to go outside as much. That could have been me."
LMPD's Public Integrity Unit is investigating the shooting. Per department policy, additional information and body camera footage from the shooting will be made public within 10 business days.
🚨ALERT: Heavy police presence in the area of the 700 block of W. Whitney here in #Louisville. Please avoid the area due to a critical investigation. Updates will be here on "X" #LMPD pic.twitter.com/RXstnNgoYD
— LMPD (@LMPD) May 14, 2026
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