PIKEVILLE — The family of an Elkhorn City man who was shot and killed last year by law enforcement officers following a short pursuit filed a lawsuit this week in U.S. District Court.

John and Sharon Keene, of Pike County, filed a complaint with jury demand against Kentucky State Police, and unknown officer of Kentucky State Police, or unknown officer of Pike County Sheriff’s Department or other unknown officer.

As times staff reported last year, KSP at Post 9 in Pikeville responded to a call from the sheriff’s department asking for assistance in the pursuit of a possible armed robbery suspect traveling on Town Mountain Road.

According to reports, the pursuit came to a halt on northbound U.S. 23 after officers successfully deployed a tire deflation device.

Misty Damron, 32, of Elkhorn City, who was driving the vehicle, surrendered to authorities without further incident.

The passenger in the vehicle, John Michael Keene, 26, reportedly moved to the driver’s seat in an attempt to escape when officers tried to take him in to custody. According to KSP, Keene reached for a weapon on the passenger side of the vehicle, at which time KSP Trooper Chris Philips and KVE Officer Keith Justice fired their weapons.

Keene was pronounced dead at the scene by the Pike County coroner.

The complaint, filed Wednesday by Lawrence R. Webster, attorney for the plaintiffs, claims that the KSP used “excessive, deadly force which was unreasonable and unconscionable and without probable cause,” resulting in the death of John Michael Keene.

“They (KSP) have stonewalled us at every turn,” Webster said Thursday, adding that the Keene’s have an interest in the outcome of the internal investigations, and that the police agencies in question have been less than forthcoming with that information.

“Mr. Keene has a strong belief that the officers acted in haste.” said Webster.

According to the Pike County Circuit Clerk’s Office, Damron was convicted of two counts of first-degree robbery, fleeing and evading, and possession of a controlled substance. She is currently serving a five-year sentence.

KVE Officer Justice and Trooper Phillips were placed on leave while their respective agencies made an an internal investigation into the shooting.

Another investigation is ongoing in the shooting death of a Johnson County man by a KSP trooper on Dec. 11 of this year.