An “overwhelming” wave of support has continued for the Scott County Sheriff’s Office in the week since Deputy Caleb Conley was fatally shot.
Sheriff Tony Hampton said his department stuck together as a family through tough times after losing Conley, who officials say was shot during a traffic stop on I-75 near Georgetown.
“I can’t say enough about the support that has come in. It’s overwhelming… how people have been here for us and brought all of these things and donations for Deputy Conley’s family,” said Hampton. “Which, they’re going to need that, you know, they have two little kids. We appreciate it so much. We feel the love, we know it’s there. It is reciprocal towards our community.
Hampton and more than a dozen other deputies were present in a Scott County courtroom Tuesday morning for the arraignment of Steven Sheangshang, 46, who is charged with Conley’s murder.
Sheangshang is charged in Scott County with murder of a police officer, a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, burglary, theft of vehicle, wanton endangerment, and flight from police.
At Sheangshang’s hearing on Tuesday, Judge Sarah Hays Spedding denied him bail and pleaded not guilty for him. Sheangshang’s next hearing is scheduled for June 6.
Conley’s colleagues, including Scott County Sheriff Tony Hampton, were present in the courtroom. At Sheangshang’s hearing in Lexington last week, members of the Lexington Police Department filled the courtroom in support of Conley. Lexington Police attended the scene and also helped detain Sheangshang after he allegedly committed multiple offenses in Lexington.
Hampton, who was in tears after the hearing, told media that he and his office were still processing the events. The sheriff said he contacted all of his staff on Memorial Day to check on them.
Hampton said he and his office will be there throughout the legal process against Sheangshang, which he expects will be a long one. He said he hopes this can move quickly to give peace to his deputies and Conley’s family.
Suspect faces charges in multiple KY counties
After Sheangshang’s arrest, dozens of charges were brought against him in several counties in Kentucky. He is charged with receiving stolen goods, fraudulent use of a credit card, theft of credit cards, burglary and being a fugitive from another state. Charges were filed against him in Kenton, Woodford, Scott and Fayette counties, according to court records.
He was still being held at the Fayette County Detention Center on Tuesday, where investigators took him after his arrest in Lexington last week.
On May 24, Sheangshang appeared in Fayette County District Court where he was appointed as a public defender. His Fayette County charges include assault, robbery, tampering with physical evidence and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.
His next appearance in Fayette County court is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on June 2.
How did the filming go
Sheangshang came into contact with Conley when the deputy conducted a traffic stop on I-75 near the 127-mile marker, according to Hampton. Approaching Sheangshang, Conley was fatally shot. Sheangshang reportedly left the scene and went to a residence at River Run Court in Georgetown, according to his arrest citation.
Once inside, Sheangshang allegedly pointed a handgun at a resident and forced him to provide his vehicle keys, according to a citation. Sheangshang then drove to Lexington where he allegedly shot a man in the abdomen on Georgetown Road and took his vehicle.
Lexington investigators used the Real Time Intelligence Center, the Flock license plate reading system and traffic cameras to locate the stolen vehicle on Whitney Avenue. Sheangshang was arrested on Charles Avenue soon after, police said.
“Deputy Conley was a top notch deputy, and I don’t feel like he made any errors in judgment or anything like that. I just feel like this insane thing happened and some coward brought it to us,” Hampton said.
Crime suspects always plead ‘not guilty’ in KY court because they have to. That is why