DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. (April 19, 2024) –On April 18, 2024, at approximately 11:36 P.M, the Kentucky State Police attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation in Dawson Springs, Hopkins County. The vehicle and suspect failed to stop, and a vehicle pursuit ensued through Dawson Springs. During the pursuit, gunshots were fired at the trooper from the suspect vehicle.
Through an extensive investigation, Kentucky State Police, with the assistance of the Madisonville Police Department and the Dawson Springs Police Department, located and arrested the driver of the fleeing vehicle, Kristopher Barker, 33 years old, of Hiram, Georgia. Tanner Southerland, 32 years old, from Dawson Springs, Kentucky was arrested and taken into custody. During the arrest, Kirsten Bean, 27 years old, of Dawson Springs, Kentucky, was taken into custody on multiple outstanding warrants for unrelated charges.
Kristopher Barker, Tanner Southerland, and Kirsten Bean were lodged in Hopkins County Detention Center. Barker is charged with Conspiracy to Attempted Murder of a Police Officer, Fleeing or Evading Police 1st Degree, Reckless Driving, and No Taillights. Southerland is charged with Attempted Murder of a Police Officer. Bean is charged with warrants out of Hopkins County for Failure to Appear on drug charges to include: Trafficking in Controlled Substance 1st degree, 1st Offense, Trafficking in Marijuana greater than 5 pounds, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Trafficking in Controlled Substance 2nd Degree, 1st Offense, Trafficking in Controlled Substance 3rd Degree, 1stOffense, Prescription Controlled Substance Not in Proper Container, 1st Offense, Wanton Endangerment 2nd Degree and Disorderly Conduct. Additionally, Bean is charged on another warrant with Possession of Controlled Substance 1st Degree, 1st Offense, Methamphetamine, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Operating Vehicle with Expired Operators License, Careless Driving, and Rear License Plate Not Illuminated.
