A man convicted by a jury of attempted murder in the shooting of a Hopkinsville police officer was remanded to the Department of Corrections after he was formally sentenced in Christian County Circuit Court Wednesday morning.
Keith Kuzyk was also found guilty on charges of first-degree wanton endangerment, fleeing or evading police and theft by unlawful taking over $10,000. The charges stem from February 18, 2019 when Hopkinsville police reported that Kuzyk and three others were involved in a carjacking at Walmart on Clinic Drive in Hopkinsville. That led to a police pursuit on North Drive in which Kuzyk reportedly fired multiple shots at Officer Jeremy Davidson, hitting him in the arm and grazing his head. He was later arrested in Montgomery County, Tennessee.
As part of a plea agreement in federal court in August 2020 in connection with the incident, Kuzyk entered a guilty plea to carjacking, use and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm in connection with the incident.
During the sentencing Wednesday morning before Judge John Atkins, Public Defender Rick Sanborn said this has been a complicated case because of Kuzyk’s federal plea deal.
click to download audioKuzyk, who appeared virtually from the Christian County Jail, said he has been praying for everyone involved.
click to download audioJudge Atkins said his discretion is extremely limited and he feels obliged to follow the jury’s recommendation.
click to download audioKuzyk will remain lodged in the Christian County Jail until the Department of Corrections decides where he will serve his sentence.
