Domestic dispute in Morgantown leads to officer involved shooting

MORGANTOWN, Ky. – Earlier this morning, an officer-involved shooting occurred in Morgantown, Kentucky.

The shooting has left a man in critical condition and the officer with minor injuries.

According to Kentucky State Police, at around 2 a.m. KSP Post-3 Dispatch received a call from Butler County Emergency Dispatch.

The call was a request for assistance with a domestic dispute.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Officer Jonathan Barks was nearby and responded to assist.

He was the first officer on the scene and encountered Gary Ranburger standing in the yard armed with a firearm.

A confrontation ensued and multiple shots were exchanged between Officer Barks and Ranburger.

This resulted in Ranburger being struck multiple times.

Ranburger was flown by medical helicopter and is in critical but stable condition.

Officer barks sustained a minor injury but he was treated and released at a local hospital.

Barks was placed on administrative leave at the request of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife office.

Trooper Hodges also tells us this investigation is still continuing by the Kentucky State Police Critical Incident Response Team.

Also assisting with the investigation are detectives with Post 3 Bowling Green.

He also says around this time of year, domestic disputes are common due to the stresses of the holidays.