With heavy hearts, we acknowledge the passing of Brooks Janzen Plemmons, a 40-year-old man from Clemmons, North Carolina, whose life came to an end on Thursday evening, February 6, at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, according to the Fayette County Coroner’s Office. At the time of reporting, the coroner listed the cause of death as pending autopsy.
Brooks’ death followed a series of rapidly unfolding events that began earlier in the week and culminated in an officer-involved shooting in Lexington, Kentucky, at the intersection of Alumni Drive and Yellowstone Parkway. On February 4, police identified Plemmons as the individual involved in that incident and reported he was in critical condition at an area hospital.
According to officials, the Lexington Police Department received a FLOCK license plate reader alert around 2:30 p.m. on February 3 for a vehicle associated with an individual wanted on multiple felony warrants out of Forsyth County, North Carolina. Detectives verified the active warrants with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, which stemmed from a domestic-related aggravated assault investigation reported on February 2 near Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.
Forsyth County authorities reported that their investigation led to arrest warrants for Plemmons on several serious charges, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, felony assault by strangulation, first-degree kidnapping, and discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling. Additional charges included habitual misdemeanor assault, interfering with emergency communications, and assault by pointing a gun.
Back in Lexington, police used the department’s Real-Time Intelligence Center and air support to locate the vehicle. Officers attempted a traffic stop around 4:24 p.m., during which three officers discharged their agency-issued weapons, striking Plemmons. He was transported to Albert B. Chandler Hospital, where he remained in critical condition until his passing. Officials confirmed that a firearm was recovered from the vehicle. No officers were injured in the incident.
The Kentucky State Police are handling the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, and the involved officers were placed on administrative assignment, per standard protocol. The incident marked the third officer-involved shooting in four days across the region, with others occurring in Frankfort and Independence.
For nearby residents, the events were deeply unsettling. One neighbor described the normally quiet area as suddenly transformed by flashing lights, blocked roads, and crime scene tape—an experience that underscored the emotional impact such incidents have on a community. Lexington Police acknowledged that impact and encouraged those affected to seek support.
As this chapter closes, thoughts remain with all those touched by the events—family members, loved ones, and communities in both North Carolina and Kentucky. May reflection, accountability, and compassion guide the days ahead as investigators complete their work and those affected seek understanding and healing.
Rest in peace, Brooks Plemmons.