Johnny Newman, 46, was shot and killed on June 11, 2020, during a confrontation in Jeff, Perry County, Kentucky. Newman, a Lexington resident originally from the area, had returned to Perry County that night and went to the home of Gary McQueen. Around 1:00 a.m., Kentucky State Police Post 13 and Perry County deputies responded to reports of a physical altercation involving gunfire and found Newman deceased at the scene.

Preliminary findings say the verbal dispute escalated and Newman allegedly armed himself with a baseball bat and a knife and advanced toward McQueen, who was armed and fired, striking Newman. The Perry County Deputy Coroner pronounced Newman dead at the scene; an autopsy at the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort was scheduled. Detectives consulted the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and were advised to present the case to the Perry County Grand Jury for review rather than make an immediate arrest.

If anyone witnessed the confrontation at KY Highway 7 or has information about Newman’s visit that night, please come forward.