Published August 28th, 2025
Two sheriff’s deputies of the Boone County Sheriff’s office were shot while serving a Child Support warrant an apartment complex in Walton, KY. The incident occurred on August 28, 2025, just after 10pm. When the deputies arrived at the residence, the immediately encountered what was described as “heavy gunfire” from within the apartment. Both deputies were injured in the gunfire, 1 deputy was shot in the upper portion of the chest, and the other deputy was shot in the legs. Major Phillip Ridgell of the Boone County Sheriff’s Department stated that the officer’s bulletproof vest was crucial to his survival. Ridgell is also quoted saying, "He took a shot right up near the upper part of his chest and without that vest it would have been an utter tragedy, likely."
The officers who were injured at identified as Gerald Mitchell Wilmes and Kyle Florer. Deputy Florer was shot in the chest. Wilmes is a veteran with the department while Florer recently joined the department in July. Wilmes was serving as a field training officer for Florer. Both deputies were transported to a hospital and have since been released and are in “good spirits”. The shooter was identified as 39-year-old Justin Chapman. Reports indicate that Chapman used a 40-caliber Glock pistol. Chapman is now deceased in what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The investigation is still ongoing.
