Welfare Check Turns Into Arrest for Pineville Woman Threatening to Shoot Police

From WRIL The Big One -

Stephanie Lynn Murrell - BCDC

On Sunday morning May 3, 2026, at approximately 1:54am, Pineville Police responded to a well-being request at a Forest Street address. 

The call to Bell County Dispatch advised that an individual’s brother was being abused by the daughter of a woman later identified as Stephanie Lynn Murrell.  The caller also said the brother had been threatened with a firearm at the residence and that if officers approached, they would be fired upon.

In the citation, Pineville Officer Patrick Brooks states that as he and other officers approached the home he saw Stephanie Murrell sitting in a chair next to the porch window.  The officer knocked and announced who he was at the door and window of the home.  He then shined a flashlight on Murrell and she stood up retrieving a revolver from her chair and appeared to either “load the weapon or manipulate the action.”

Officers then pulled back from the scene to a safe position and requested back up from Bell County Sheriff’s Deputies and Kentucky State Police.

A callout for Murrell took place and she exited the home, but refused to follow commands from officers, and was yelling and screaming causing a disturbance.  Officers then rushed Murrell, taking her into custody at 3:28am.

A safety sweep was conducted of the residence and found in the chair where Murrell had been seated was a Heritage single-action revolver with the hammer pulled back into the firing position. 

The gun was seized and Murrell was taken to the Bell County Detention Center charged with menacing, wanton endangerment, and disorderly conduct - 2^nd degree.