Man in custody following reported standoff in Letcher County

WHITESBURG, Ky. — One man is in custody following a reported standoff with the Kentucky State Police on Friday.

According to Trooper Gayheart, public affairs officer for KSP Post 13, troopers received  call at 4:12 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Friday, May 15 regarding a domestic violence assault on Buck Road in the Whitesburg community of Letcher County.

Upon arrival, authorities say they determined the individuals involved in the domestic dispute had fled to a neighboring residence.

Troopers say they tried to make contact at the residence, and a male subject barricaded himself inside with several other individuals, refusing to exit the home.

Authorities say following brief standoff, one male and two female subjects exited the home and informed troopers that 36-year-old Dusty Shell of Emmalena remained inside of the home armed with a gun, along with another male subject.

According to troopers, they secured the perimeter and requested assistance from the KSP Special Response Team. Upon arrival on scene, SRT’s negotiations were conducted successfully, and Shell surrendered without incident, authorities say.

Authorities say Shell was transported and lodged into the Letcher County Jail, where he was charged with second-degree assault (domestic violence), second-degree terroristic threatening and parole violation.

In addition, 45-year-old Amy Griffith of Hindman was arrested and lodged in the Letcher County Jail on an unrelated out-of-state warrant.

The investigation is ongoing.