City, University Police Urge Richmond Citizens to Take Extra Caution after Incidents

After multiple incidents in Richmond, Kentucky, both Richmond and Eastern Kentucky University police are urging area residents to take extra caution. The warnings follow the death of a missing woman, Amanda Bailey, the ongoing search for another woman, Savannah Spurlock, and a reported sexual assault near EKU’s campus.

• By Jessica Davis
• Feb 07, 2019

After multiple incidents in Richmond, Kentucky, both Richmond and Eastern Kentucky University police are urging area residents to take extra caution. The warnings follow the death of a missing woman, Amanda Bailey, the ongoing search for another woman, Savannah Spurlock, and a reported sexual assault near EKU’s campus.

“If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t right,” said Richmond Assistant Chief of Police Rodney Richardson. “Walk in pairs, update someone when going from point A to point B, let them know a designated time you will be back. Do what you think is best to insure your personal safety.”

Richardson reminded citizens to make sure that any protection they carry—like pepper spray or a stun gun—is not a deadly weapon they’re carrying without a license.

“There are a lot of different things you can do to protect yourself, but as long as it is not considered a deadly weapon, then you are good,” Richardson said.

The Richmond Register reported that Kentucky Penal Code KRS 500.80 defines weapons as “deadly” using the following criteria: “A weapon of mass destruction, any weapon from which a shot, readily capable of producing death or other serious physical injury, may be discharged, any knife other than an ordinary pocket knife or hunting knife, billy, nightstick, or club, blackjack or slapjack, nunchaku karate sticks or death star; or artificial knuckles made from metal, plastic, or other similar hard material.”

Richardson said residents interested in taking self-defense classes can contact the Richmond Police Department.

According to Richardson, RPD has no reports or evidence pointing to relation of the Spurlock and Bailey cases, or the reported assault incident.

Spurlock, who is from Richmond, went missing in January after a night out in Lexington, and the department is continuing to search for her.

“We have not stopped looking for Savannah. We are asking anyone in the Garrard County area who may have seen something or know anything to call us or come forward,” he said.

Eastern Kentucky University Police are also urging students and faculty to be extra cautious following a sexual assault reported by a “non-EKU affiliated” male. The male reported that he was assaulted by a man he did not know on EKU property.

EKU police continue to investigate. As of Monday afternoon, EKU Chief External Affairs Officer Kristi Middleton stated that the campus police have “no new information to release.”

The university emailed students and faculty to warn them to avoid shortcuts, walk in groups, share their scheduled plans with friends and stick to well-lit areas of campus when walking at night.

“If someone sees something suspicious, they need to report it to the police,” Richardson said. “Right now, we have no other reports or evidence of any other missing persons, and there are no reports that suggest a connection with any of the cases.”