DAVIESS COUNTY, Ky. — Jonathon Severs, 30, of Owensboro, was shot and killed by deputies Wednesday night following a reported kidnapping, a shooting at a New Cut Road residence and a pursuit that ended on Morgantown Road, according to local authorities. A woman identified as Tracy Pearce was later found dead inside Severs’ vehicle.
The incident began around 4:30 p.m. when dispatchers received a report that Severs was planning to load his firearms and harm himself. Authorities issued a BOLO for Severs, and deputies were sent to the home of his former girlfriend on New Cut Road to check on her welfare. Pearce, 37, initially told deputies that she was safe and doing well.
Authorities later said Owensboro police officers spotted Severs’ vehicle on Fourth Street and then on Highway 54. During a welfare check, Severs reportedly refused to speak with officers. Investigators continued monitoring the situation as officers encountered his vehicle multiple times.
Later Wednesday evening, the Ohio County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting that Severs was inside the New Cut Road residence. About four minutes into the call, dispatchers reportedly heard gunshots while still speaking with people inside the home. When deputies arrived, they found Pearce’s mother suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to her torso and legs. She was flown to a Louisville hospital and was reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities said a toddler, a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old were also inside the residence. The children were not physically injured, but officials said they witnessed their mother being forcibly taken from the home. Investigators said Severs abducted Pearce and fled the area.
At about 10 p.m., a deputy spotted Severs’ vehicle on Highway 54 near Country Heights Elementary School, but officers lost sight of it. Roughly 30 minutes later, deputies reported seeing the vehicle again and began pursuing Severs. The pursuit continued to Morgantown Road, where authorities said Severs rammed a police cruiser.
According to Sheriff Brad Youngman, Severs then exited the vehicle while armed with a handgun. Deputies ordered him to surrender, but authorities said he refused. Deputies subsequently opened fire, killing Severs at the scene. Authorities later found Pearce dead inside Severs’ vehicle.
Four deputies involved in the officer-involved shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which officials said is standard procedure following such incidents. The Kentucky State Police is leading the investigation into the shooting and is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the reported kidnapping, the shooting at the New Cut Road residence, the pursuit and the fatal confrontation on Morgantown Road.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details about Pearce’s death beyond finding her inside Severs’ vehicle. Officials are also providing support to the deputies involved in the shooting as they deal with the aftermath. Further information is expected as the Kentucky State Police investigation continues.
