EKB News

The alleged gunman in a triple shooting in eastern Kentucky was arrested Wednesday morning at his home, authorities said. Billy Sartin, 47, was accused of killing 41 yr old Jeffrey Mattox, and 53 yr old Billy Proctor, and also wounding Sue Collins Monday night in Inez, about 37 miles north of Pikeville. He was charged with two counts of murder, and one count each of kidnapping and assault, said Kentucky State Police Sgt. Steve Spurlock. Sartin was captured after Martin County Sheriff Garmon Preece heard noises at Sartin's house while patrolling the neighborhood. Preece called for backup and Sartin was arrested without incident about 8:45 a.m. Preece said that Sartin, who was believed to be armed and dangerous while on the run, was not carrying any weapons at the time of his arrest.
The search lasted for 36 hours and even prompted school officials to cancel classes on Tuesday.

Police have declined to discuss a possible motive for the shootings and it remained unclear whether any relationship existed between Sartin and the victims. Mattox and Collins, his girlfriend, lived in a small house along the same street as Proctor in the Whickerfield neighborhood near downtown Inez. Sartin's home was less than two miles away. Neighbors said Mattox, Collins and Proctor were friendly, quiet residents, but Sartin was unpredictable, loitered around their neighborhood and had a reputation for intimidating behavior. Sartin, also known as William Ray Starr, is no stranger to the law. His rap sheet dates back to 1984 and includes charges for rape, stalking, assault, robbery, burglary and gun possession, though most of the charges were eventually dismissed, according to the county clerk. Sartin is being held at the Big Sandy Regional detention center in Johnson County.