OWENSBORO, Ky. — A police officer fatally shot a man who attempted to flee after being stopped for a traffic violation, the city police chief said.

        Police Chief Allen Dixon said Officer Lorhn Frazier fired in self-defense. But two people who said they witnessed the shooting Thursday afternoon disputed the police chief's account.

        Tyrone W. Clayton Jr., 22, was shot in the chest, police said. Officer Frazier was placed on administrative leave until an internal investigation is completed.

        Officer Frazier, a four-year veteran of the department, stopped Mr. Clayton just before 3:30 p.m. CST for reckless driving, Chief Dixon said Thursday.

        The chief gave this account of the incident: Mr. Clayton ran from Officer Frazier, leading the officer on a chase through an apartment complex and back toward the vehicle.

        Mr. Clayton then jumped into a car that had been left running. Officer Frazier, who was standing in front of the vehicle, ordered him to stop, but Mr. Clayton drove forward, hitting Officer Frazier in the leg.

        Officer Frazier's leg was injured, but he did not require treatment, Chief Dixon said.

        The police chief said Mr. Clayton, of Quincy, Fla., was unarmed.

        Officer Frazier fired one shot through the windshield, killing Mr. Clayton.

        “(Officer Frazier's) life was in danger, and he fired in self-defense,” Chief Dixon said.

        But the owner of the car in which Mr. Clayton was shot dis puted Chief Dixon's version.

        Adrian McKenzie, who did not know the victim, said Mr. Clayton jumped in the passenger's side of the car, then moved to the driver's side.

        “Frazier said, "Get out of the car or I'm going to kill you,'” Mr. McKenzie said. “If he (Mr. Clayton) wanted to run him over, he could have done it. But the car never moved.”

        Patricia Higgs said she was walking down the street when she saw Officer Frazier chasing Mr. Clayton. Ms. Higgs said Mr. Clayton jumped into the car, and Officer Frazier moved in front of the vehicle.

        “Frazier got in front of the car, and he shot him,” Ms. Higgs said. “He just pulled the gun out and started shooting.”

        Results of the investigation will be turned over to Commonwealth Attorney Jay Wethington, who could present the case to a grand jury to determine whether criminal charges will be filed.

        The Associated Press/JOHN DUNHAM Emergency workers look over the car that Tyrone W. Clayton Jr. was in when he was fatally shot by Officer Lorhn Frazier in Owensboro on Thursday. Two people who say they witnessed the shooting dispute the police version of the incident.
       

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