Multi-state manhunt for Kentucky man accused of killing a Wayne Co. sheriff’s deputy ends in rural Carlyle

Authorities have apprehended a 40-year-old Kentucky man after a standoff and hostage situation. The man is accused of shooting a Wayne County Sheriff’s deputy early Wednesday.

The Illinois State Police stated that Ray Tate was arrested at 1:45 p.m. and both hostages were uninjured in the incident.

The manhunt began around 5 a.m. when a sheriff’s deputy found Deputy Sean Riley gunned down and his squad car was missing. Riley had responded to a motorist assist along Interstate 64. Here is the scanner audio:

The missing squad car was found later that day abandoned along the interstate.

Tate then allegedly carjacked a semi-truck driver who dropped him off in St. Peters around 7:20 a.m. He then reportedly took a third vehicle — a 2017 Chevy Cruze — at a Quick Trip.

Police say Tate allegedly stole a fourth vehicle in O’Fallon, MO, and a possible hostage whose phone was reportedly pinging a location in Pocahontas.

At noon, Tate reportedly took a tan Ford Flex station wagon with dealer plates and low gas, police say. At 12:19 p.m., Tate was spotted allegedly breaking into a home in rural Carlyle. The Ford taken in Greenville was found in a garage at the intersection of Emerald and Beaver roads.

Police say a female was reported as being held hostage and Tate was believed to have been in possession of several firearms.

The Knox County, IN, Sheriff’s Department had been looking for Tate as a suspect in a carjacking and shooting incident outside the Red Roof Inn in Vincennes, IN, on Dec. 16.

Tate was taken into custody and transported to the Clinton County Jail.

No charges have been filed as of Thursday evening. The Standard will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.