LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky law enforcement officer has recently faced disciplinary action for discharging non-lethal ammunition at a television news crew during protests in 2020 in response to the death of Breonna Taylor.

In May of that year, while a crew from WAVE-TV was covering the events live, Officer Dustin Dean of the Louisville Police Department fired two pepper balls in their direction. At that time, the protests gaining momentum stemmed from outrage over Taylor’s fatal shooting by police.

Following the incident, Dean was reassigned as the Federal Bureau of Investigation began their inquiry into the matter. According to Louisville Police Chief Paul Humphrey, the FBI conducted a thorough three-year investigation but ultimately chose not to bring any criminal charges against him. Afterward, the department’s Professional Standards Unit took up its own investigation into the incident.

It was concluded that Dean had breached the department’s guidelines regarding the use of chemical agents. Consequently, he was issued a letter of reprimand for his actions as reported by WAVE-TV.

Chief Humphrey explained that the circumstances of the protests that night contributed to the uncertainty of the situation, stating that Dean was wearing a gas mask in low-light conditions, which may have hampered visibility. He described that evening as “tense, uncertain, rapidly evolving,” noting that several police officers sustained injuries due to actions by demonstrators.

For several years, Dean remained on administrative suspension to await the outcome of the FBI’s investigation, according to Chief Humphrey.