PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Last week, Eastern Kentucky was shocked by the murder of Pikeville Police Officer Scotty Hamilton, which seemingly came without warning.

But EKB News has uncovered evidence that the man charged with killing him likely knew Officer Hamilton had been searching for him for at least seven months.

Hamilton was investigating a suspicious vehicle at Hurricane Creek just before midnight on March 13. When he went to check behind a nearby residence for a suspect who was believed to have fled the scene, he was shot and killed in an ambush-style attack.

John Russell Hall, 55, of Pikeville, was arrested March 15 and charged with Hamilton’s murder, following a 36-hour manhunt.

Court records reveal that police had wanted to question Hall regarding a theft case. In August, police received information that Hall could be found at the home of Christopher Parsons, 34, of Road Creek.

However, when three officers, including Hamilton, went to investigate, they were confronted by Parsons outside of his garage. When they asked about Hall, Parsons allegedly became irate and began cursing and threatening them.

Police then noticed a man matching Hall’s description inside the garage, and Hamilton asked Parsons if Hall was inside. At that point, police say Parsons continued to argue with them, allegedly telling Hamilton, “You better hope when I go back to prison I get 10 years, because when I get out, you’ve had it.”

Parsons was then told he was under arrest for threatening an officer, but he allegedly became more combative at that point, allegedly stepping back and raising his fists. Police used a Taser on Parsons, but it had no effect.

Hamilton then tried to take Parsons to the ground in an attempt to subdue him, but Parsons allegedly continued fighting, punching Hamilton several times. Another officer used a Taser on Parsons again, this time forcing him on the ground. He allegedly remained combative, but was ultimately handcuffed.

When police raised Parsons to his feet after cuffing him, he allegedly tried to head-butt the officers several times and tried to get away. He was taken to the ground again and then struck on his right thigh several times with a baton, at which point he allegedly told officers he was done fighting. He was taken into custody, charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and terroristic threatening.

Authorities believe Hall was inside Parsons’ garage, but managed to run away during the scuffle with Parsons.

There is no indication that Hall was ever arrested following the incident at Parsons’ home, until he was charged with Hamilton’s murder.