Kentucky man allegedly tried to kill federal officers

A fugitive who fired shots at officers after a chase in southern Kentucky has been indicted in federal court on two counts of attempted murder of a federal law enforcement officer.

Byron Kemp Howard, 70, also faces charges of illegally possessing a .38-caliber handgun, which he should not have because he is a convicted felon.

The incident occurred on May 20 in Laurel County.

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Howard was in a shed in a rural area when officers from the U.S. Marshals Service, Kentucky State Police and the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office tried to arrest him, state court records show.

According to a state court ruling, Howard jumped into the Lexus and rammed a wooden building before driving onto the highway and fleeing at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Howard eventually ran off the road and hit a tree.

Howard then reportedly tried to shoot a deputy U.S. marshal and a task force officer. The shots did not hit the officers, said Jeremy Honaker, acting U.S. marshal for the federal Eastern District of Kentucky.

The attempted murder charge filed in federal court carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Howard was previously charged in state court with attempting to murder a police officer on five counts and endangering a police officer on three counts.

Howard has a lengthy criminal history in Kentucky, including burglary charges and the manufacturing and possession of methamphetamine.