The Leslie County Sheriff’s Office announced that a potential hostage situation in downtown Hyden turned out to be a prank and there is no threat to the public.

Chief Deputy Jeremy Vega was dispatched to a business in downtown Hyden this morning at 7:30am of a possible hostage situation and threat that the suspect would shoot any member of law enforcement who attempted to intervene. It was also said that there were bombs placed at specific locations. These rumors were also proven false along with the rumor of an active shooter in the area.

After an investigation, it was determined that all these claims were false. Those with the Leslie County Sheriff’s Office believe that the claims were made by someone from out of state who were watching officers on Earthcam. 

The situation is over and there is no threat to the public.