Federal fugitive arrested in Keavy following pursuit

A federal fugitive from Virginia was arrested Monday following a pursuit with police, which ended in Keavy, where the man allegedly fired two shots at officers before being taken into custody.

According to a release, a task force with the United State Marshals Service was attempting to arrest Byron Howard, 71, when he fled police in a vehicle. Howard allegedly led the task force officers in a pursuit before losing control of his vehicle, leaving the roadway and striking a tree on Moberly Bend Road in southwestern Laurel County.

Once the vehicle had come to rest, Howard allegedly fired two shots at police before ultimately peacefully surrendering.

Howard suffered cardiac issues during the incident, which he was treated for at the scene by Laurel County EMS before being transported to Baptist Health Corbin for further treatment.

Howard has been charged with first-degree wanton endangerment, third-degree burglary, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and five counts of attempted murder. He was wanted out of Virginia on charges of possession of methamphetamine in a national park and possession of a handgun in a national park.

According to online jail records on Tuesday, Howard still has yet to be released from the hospital and transported to the Laurel County Correctional Facility.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Department, London Police Department, Corbin Police Department and Kentucky State Police assisted the task force in the arrest. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Department and Corbin Police Department are conducting the crime scene investigation where the incident occurred.