Man Enters Harlan Hotel With a Loaded Shotgun Looking For a Family Member

From WRIL The Big One -

Justin Greer - HCDC

On Sunday evening November 16, 2025, at 4:20pm, the Harlan Police Department recieved a call from Kentucky State Police Post 10 regarding a man acting very suspicious at Quality Inn. He was believed to have been in possession of a firearm according to the citation. The incident was initially reported as a "stand off."

Once on scene, police located 35-year-old Justin Greer at the front desk. Harlan Officer Lunsford states that Greer was acting "very erratic" while officers were attempting to secure the scene and possible firearm. A short-barreled shotgun was quickly located a few feet away inside the man's jacket on a chair in the lobby. The gun was loaded, ready to be fired.

Greer attempted to get close to the gun becoming "very nervous acting and moving around" and would not comply with officers commands, according to police.

Speaking to the officers, Greer stated he was looking for his stepdaughter and that he had "found the shotgun in the Cawood area." He also claimed he wanted to "throw it in a creek", but then said he decided to turn it in to the police department.

The front desk clerk advised HPD Officer Jared Powell that Greer had come into the hotel asking what room his stepdaughter was in believing she was with someone she shouldn't be. The front desk clerk stated she knew the stepdaughter and knew that she had been in an altercation with a man she believed to be Greer earlier.

Greer was later seen on video surveillance being dropped off in a pickup truck grabbing the jacket with the firearm inside walking into the hotel.

Justin Greer was arrested roughly an hour later and lodged in the Harlan County Detention Center. He has been charged with menacing, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, carrying a concealed weapon, disorderly conduct - 2nd degree, possession of a defaced firearm, and criminal tresspassing - 3rd degree.

Greer had just been released from jail at 12:19am Sunday the 16th after being arrested on November 7th. At that time he was charged with fleeing or evading police - 1st offense (motor vehicle), DUI - 1st offense, driving on suspended license, no registration plates or receipt, no insurance, buying/possessing drug paraphernalia, possession of Marijuana, no rear license plate illuminated, and he was served a failure to appear warrant.