Louisville, KY — A two-day manhunt for a man suspected of shooting an Orange County deputy came to a deadly conclusion in Louisville, Kentucky, late Saturday. Authorities said the suspect, identified as 33-year-old Austin Schepers, was fatally shot by law enforcement during a confrontation at a local residence.
The search for Schepers began shortly after the early Friday incident, where Deputy Sheriff Zac Andry was critically wounded. Andry, who encountered Schepers while investigating a vehicle parked on a highway in Orange County, Indiana, was shot multiple times, including in the head. Following the shooting, Schepers fled the scene with a female passenger, triggering an extensive manhunt.
State Police and Louisville Metro Police Department officers zeroed in on a home on Wheeler Avenue in Louisville, where they believed Schepers was hiding. When officers attempted to apprehend him, a confrontation ensued, leading to Schepers’ death. The specifics of the encounter are still under investigation, according to officials.
With Schepers’ death, authorities have confirmed there is no further threat to public safety linked to this case. Meanwhile, the Louisville Metro Police Department has stated it will release more details about the involvement of their officers once the investigation allows.
During the intense search, Deputy Andry was rushed to University of Louisville Hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition. Orange County Sheriff Davy Henderson has expressed gratitude for the public’s support and requested continued prayers for Andry and his family.
The female passenger who fled with Schepers was apprehended near Orangeville on the morning of the incident. Law enforcement agencies had earlier described Schepers as armed and dangerous, urging the public to report any information that could lead to his capture.
Prior to the confrontation, investigators believed Schepers had remained in the vicinity of New Albany, Indiana, and within the broader Kentuckiana area. He was known to have numerous tattoos across his body, including on his head, neck, face, arms, and torso.
The concerted efforts of the Indiana State Police, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, and various assisting agencies underscored the urgency and coordination behind the manhunt and ongoing investigation.
This incident highlights the perils law enforcement officers face and the rapid and coordinated law enforcement response to threats against public safety. Authorities will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the initial shooting and the subsequent events leading to Schepers’ death.