I-75 in Lexington back open after police negotiate with man firing shots

Interstate 75 in Lexington was back open by 4 p.m. Monday after being closed for several hours in both directions while police negotiated with an armed man who fired shots.

Sgt. Nate Williams told the Herald-Leader that police responded to a call around 9:45 a.m. of a man on the I-75 overpass at Bryan Station Road.

Police located an individual who expressed suicidal thoughts to officers. Police began negotiating with him and shut down northbound and southbound lanes of I-75. Motorists were urged to stay clear of the North Lexington area.

The individual was armed and fired shots, striking himself, Public Information Officer Hannah Slone said in a press release. He was transported to a local hospital with reported life-threatening injuries. No officers fired their weapons, police said in the release.

Slone said the Crisis Negotiation Unit was also on the scene and negotiated with the individual.

Police told the Herald-Leader’s reporting partner, WKYT, when the interstate opened back up around 2:15 p.m. there was no active threat to the public. Police did not confirm to the TV station whether or not anyone had been arrested.

Traffic was seriously impacted following the road closures. Lexington Police reported via X (@lexkypolice) that I-75 north and southbound as well as the I-64 ramp that interchanges with I-75 North were closed due to the active police scene. Drivers experienced delays and were encouraged to take an alternate route.

New Circle Road experienced a high volume of traffic build-up as drivers were rerouted off the interstate.

I-75 has reopended In both directions, however, Bryan Station Road remains closed over the bypass until further notice. Drivers should proceed with caution as traffic returns to normal.