Charges filed in social media threat

Published 2:36 pm Thursday, January 30, 2020

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Charges have been filed against a Jessamine County man who allegedly posted a threatening image toward police on social media.

Nicholasville Police obtained a warrant against 19-year-old Kristopher Cole for first-degree wanton endangerment and terroristic threatening.

The image started circulating on social media Thursday evening, Nicholasville Police Sgt. Kevin Grimes said, of a person sitting in a vehicle outside a Jessamine County school as a police vehicle drove past. The post also included the word “retaliation.”

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“There was a gun pointed at one of the cruisers,” Grimes said of the image.

“We started working on it (Thursday) night,” Grimes said of the investigation. “They started sending search warrants to SnapChat” and other social media outlets.

Through the investigation, detectives identified Cole as the prime suspect. At this point, Cole remains at large and police are asking for the public’s help locating him.

Grimes said this may be the first local incident where a social media threat was made against law enforcement. Most of the earlier ones have been against the schools, he said.

Grimes said Cole is a Jessamine County resident and went to school here.

If anyone has information on Cole’s whereabouts, contact the Nicholasville Police Department at 859-885-9468.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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