Undercover officers from the Louisville Metro Police Department’s Fugitive Unit found themselves in a tense situation, when a routine investigation took a dangerous turn.

Around 1:32 p.m., Officers Hayden and his partner were inside their vehicle, focusing on apprehending a suspect unrelated to their current investigation. Suddenly, their attention was diverted when an armed individual approached Officer Hayden’s side of the vehicle. The suspect, later identified as 21-year-old Mark Jaggers Jr., was wearing a mask and brandishing a firearm.

In a split-second decision, Officer Hayden reacted by firing several rounds from his service weapon, causing Jaggers to drop his gun and fall backward. With the scene secured, Officer Hayden immediately called for backup, and additional officers rushed to the location.

Despite the officers’ attempts to administer aid and perform life-saving measures, Jaggers succumbed to his injuries after being transported to the University of Louisville Hospital.

Following the incident, Mark Jaggers Sr., the father of the deceased, expressed disbelief, stating that he didn’t believe his son intended to carjack the officers. According to Jaggers Sr., his son mistook the unoccupied vehicle for an abandoned one, as it had been parked in the area for several hours. Nevertheless, Jaggers Sr. acknowledged the illegality of his son’s actions but emphasized that it wasn’t worth losing his life over.

Officer Hayden, a seasoned veteran with 10 years of service, acted in accordance with department protocol during the encounter. Fortunately, neither he nor his partner sustained injuries during the incident.

In a subsequent development, police revealed that the detectives were initially seeking Rex Wright Jr., 23, who turned himself in after the shooting. Wright was wanted in connection with a non-fatal shooting incident.

As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the incident serves as a sobering reminder of the inherent risks faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty.