LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Law enforcement officers in Louisville have taken Emonnie Branch into custody following a fatal shooting on Interstate 65 North in Warren County. The incident resulted in the death of Kentucky State Police Trooper Hayden Phillips on September 28, 2026.
Local authorities apprehended Branch at 3100 Algonquin Parkway in Louisville, leading state officials to cancel an active statewide Blue Alert. The suspect was previously wanted for allegedly assaulting a law enforcement officer in Smiths Grove at approximately 2:47 p.m. before driving a blueish-gray 2025 Honda Civic north along the highway.
Details of the Interstate 65 Incident
The violent encounter began near the Smiths Grove exit at around 1:20 to 2:47 p.m. in Warren County. According to the Kentucky State Police, Trooper Hayden Phillips, a resident of Glasgow, Kentucky, and a 2023 graduate of Cadet Class 103, was fatally wounded while on duty.
Following the attack, Branch fled the scene traveling northbound on I-65. Federal law enforcement partners, including the FBI, aided the multi-agency manhunt by tracking the suspect’s mobile phone data. Branch drove northward until being successfully intercepted and detained by the Louisville Metro Police Department.
The active investigation led to the immediate shutdown of Interstate 65 Northbound near the 37 to 39-mile markers. Emergency Management, Kentucky State Police, Warren County Sheriff’s deputies, and EMS crews responded to the scene, while traffic was actively rerouted at Exit 30 to clear the highway for emergency personnel.
Tributes and Official Responses
State leaders and law enforcement officials quickly expressed their grief and offered condolences following the tragic loss of Trooper Phillips.
“Our hearts break for Trooper Phillips’ family, loved ones, and fellow troopers as we grieve this tremendous loss,” said KSP Colonel Phillip Burnett in a public statement. “We will carry his memory with us, honor the life he lived and the badge he wore, and stand together as an agency to support this family in the days ahead.”
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear released a statement describing Phillips as a “hero who dedicated himself to protecting the commonwealth.” Kentucky Speaker of the House David Osborne also offered formal condolences on behalf of the state legislature, emphasizing the daily risks faced by men and women in uniform.
Authorities confirmed that following his arrest in Louisville, Branch is slated to be transferred first to Elizabethtown and subsequently back to Bowling Green to face charges.
