A Kentucky man, charged with the deaths of three law enforcement officers during an ambush in a small Appalachian town, was found dead in his jail cell.
Lance Storz, 50, was found dead of an apparent suicide Tuesday morning at the Pike County Detention Center, where he was being held on three murder charges, Floyd County Sheriff John Hunt said Tuesday.
The sheriff’s office said Storz opened fire on officers with a high-powered rifle on June 30 when they arrived at his home to serve a protective order. Hunt described the scene as a “war zone” during an hours-long standoff before Storz surrendered.
Related: Two Kentucky Law Enforcement Officers Killed While Trying To Serve Warrant
The shooting was one of Kentucky’s deadliest for law enforcement officers. Officials said it was the most law enforcement deaths in a single incident since a 1923 prison riot left three officers dead.
Hunt said police in Pike County are investigating Storz’s cause of death.
One of Hunt’s deputies, William Petry, was killed when Storz opened fire on officers without warning.
Prestonsburg Police Capt. Ralph Frasure was also killed, and Prestonsburg officer Jacob Chaffins died the next day of gunshot wounds. Four other officers were wounded.
Hunt said one of his deputies injured in the shooting would never get to see Storz face justice.
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