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Kentucky man killed in police standoff may have been 'hunting' homeless people
Police say months of investigation linked Michael Hristov to a homeless man’s killing and a stabbing before SWAT officers shot him after he fired at drones and police.
- On May 14, Louisville Metro Police Department SWAT officers shot and killed 21-year-old murder suspect Michael Hristov while serving an arrest warrant at his Whitney Avenue home.
- Detectives identified Hristov as the primary suspect in the December 2025 killing of Michael Howard, whose mutilated body was discovered near Interstate 65 with "various symbols" carved into it.
- An IP address from a December 21, 2025, Reddit post claiming "possible serial killer in Louisville" was linked to Hristov, who police said had a "fascination" with serial killers and "idolized" mass shooters.
- Refusing to surrender during the standoff, Hristov fired at officers and a police drone; LMPD SWAT officer Beau Gadegaard fired the fatal shot after nearly 25 minutes of negotiation.
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation continues investigating Hristov's extremist connections, while department records show officer Gadegaard previously faced disciplinary action, including a three-day suspension in 2017 for failing to activate his body camera.
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US: Man killed in police standoff may have been ‘hunting’ homeless people
By Alex Suckow LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (WLKY) — WARNING: The contents of this article are disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Louisville Metro police released grisly new details about a man who may have been “hunting” homeless people before he was killed by officers. Michael Hristov, 21, was killed by police earlier this month at his home on W. Whitney Avenue, just south of Churchill Downs, where he lived with his mother. According to LMP…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources12
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center10Last UpdatedBias Distribution91% Center
Bias Distribution
- 91% of the sources are Center
91% Center
C 91%
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