Case: 5:24-mj-05090-MAS Doc #: 1-1 Filed: 03/01/24 Page: 1 of 7 - Page ID#: 2

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

EASTERN DISTRICT OF KENTUCKY
CENTRAL DIVISION
LEXINGTON

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PLAINTIFF

v.

AFFIDAVIT

DAQUIS DAMARR SHARP DEFENDANT

************************

I, Russel King, being duly sworn, do hereby depose and state:

INTRODUCTION AND AGENT BACKGROUND

1. I am a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and

Explosives (hereinafter ATF) and have been so employed since 2005. In that capacity, I am

authorized to apply for a warrant under Rule 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. I am

a federal law enforcement officer as defined in Rule 41(a)(2)(C).

2. I am currently assigned to the Lexington Field Office and have so been since May

2005. My current duty assignment includes, but is not limited to, investigating violations of

Federal firearms, arson and explosives laws. Prior to my current assignment with the ATF, I was

a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service from approximately 2000 to 2005. I was

also employed as a Border Patrol Agent with the United States Border Patrol from approximately

1998 to 2000.

3. I am authorized and have the responsibility to investigate and arrest persons for

violations of Federal law, to include the below listed offenses, as are included in the Federal

Criminal Code:

1
 Case: 5:24-mj-05090-MAS Doc #: 1-1 Filed: 03/01/24 Page: 2 of 7 - Page ID#: 3

1) Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(1) – Possession of a firearm that has traveled
in interstate or foreign commerce after having been convicted in any court of
a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one (1) year.

4. During my time as a Criminal Investigator, I have investigated violations of the

Federal Firearms Laws, including cases that involved the criminal possession and use of firearms,

as well as the manufacture and use of destructive and/or incendiary devices. I have also

participated in various aspects of federal investigations, including interviewing defendants,

witnesses, and cooperating sources. I have also participated in the collection and analysis of

evidence obtained from video surveillance footage. I have conducted surveillance, to include

physical, mobile, and technical surveillance. I have attended specialized training in the forensic

extraction and analysis of electronic information, specifically cellular phones and mobile devices.

5. The information in this affidavit is based on my participation in this investigation,

information provided to me by other law enforcement officers involved in this investigation, and

my discussions with other law enforcement agents and other witnesses. The information contained

in this affidavit does not describe the entirety of this investigation, but sets forth only those facts

relevant and necessary to determining probable cause that, on or about February 28, 2024, in Fayette

County, in the Eastern Judicial District of Kentucky, Daquis Damarr Sharp (hereinafter Sharp) did

possess a firearm that has traveled in interstate and/or foreign commerce, after having been

convicted on any crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one (1) year, in violation

of Title 18 U.S.C. § 922 (g)(1).

PROBABLE CAUSE

6. On February 28, 2024, just before midnight, Lexington Police Department (LPD)

Detective Nick Music was conducting surveillance activities in support of the investigation of an

2
 Case: 5:24-mj-05090-MAS Doc #: 1-1 Filed: 03/01/24 Page: 3 of 7 - Page ID#: 4

individual identified as Daquis Damarr Sharp, who is suspected of being involved in violent

criminal activity in Lexington, to include homicides and other firearms related offenses. Detective

Music was sitting stationary in his unmarked police vehicle on Royal Avenue in Lexington, Fayette

County, Kentucky the Eastern District of Kentucky (EDKY). Said vehicle is further described for

purposes of this affidavit as a black in color newer model Ford Fusion. The residence being

observed was Royal Avenue, Unit A, known to be the residence of Sharp’s grandmother,

7. As Detective Music was sitting in his aforementioned vehicle, other LPD

Detectives, who were also conducting surveillance on Royal Avenue, Unit A, observed three

(3) black males exit the side door of Royal Avenue, Unit A and walk down the sidewalk onto

La Flame Alley. One of the subjects was wearing a gray jump suit, one was dressed in all black,

and the other was wearing a dark hoodie. All subjects had hoods pulled up over their heads.

8. As the subjects walked from the Royal Avenue address onto La Flame Alley

towards 7th Street, LPD Detectives lost sight of them. Shortly after losing sight of the subjects,

LPD detectives heard multiple gunshots and saw what was determined to be multiple muzzle

flashes coming from the direction of where the subjects were last seen traveling towards. After

hearing the gunfire, LPD Detectives observed all three of the aforementioned subjects running

back to La Flame Alley and into Royal Avenue, Unit A. The subject seen wearing all gray

was carrying an AK style firearm.

9. While the shooting was in progress, Detective Music determined that his vehicle

was receiving accurate incoming fire. He was able to exit from the vehicle and take cover before

eventually making his way to another LPD Detective’s vehicle. Based on all observations of LPD

Detectives on scene, LPD initiated an emergency response and were able to establish a perimeter

3
 Case: 5:24-mj-05090-MAS Doc #: 1-1 Filed: 03/01/24 Page: 4 of 7 - Page ID#: 5

at Royal Avenue, Unit A. Thereafter, LPD began calling subjects out of the residence.

10. One of the subjects that was removed from the residence was wearing gray pants,

black and white shoes and a black hooded sweatshirt. This subject was positively identified as

Daquis Damarr Sharp (SHARP). The description of Sharp’s pants and shoes was identical to one

of the three subjects observed carrying an AK style firearm by Detectives who were conducting

surveillance prior to the shooting.

11. Two (2) additional (2) males who were called out from the residence were identified

as Jatiece Parks and Zalan Dulin. A state search warrant for the residence was applied for and

granted to search for evidence related to the aforementioned shooting. Upon execution of this

search warrant, LPD Detectives located two (2) Century Arms Draco style pistols (7.62 x 39

caliber), one (1) Glock, Model 41, .45 caliber pistol, one (1) Glock, Model 20, 10mm pistol, and

one (1) Glock, Model 22, .40 caliber pistol.

12. Upon examining Detective Music's vehicle, investigators discovered

approximately thirty (30) bullet holes over the entire length of the vehicle. Upon search of the

general area of the shooters, detectives located approximately forty-three (43) spent shell casings

including a mixture of .45 caliber, 10 mm and live 7.62 x 39 caliber rounds.

13. SHARP, Jatiece Parks and Zalan Dulan were arrested and charged for the attempted

murder of a police officer and Second-Degree Assault of a police officer. An attempted interview

was conducted with all subjects refusing to provide statements.

14. Other individuals present in the residence at the time of the shooting were identified

as her juvenile son (not identified in this Affidavit), and

(Sharp’s grandmother), told investigators that Jatiece Parks, Zalan Dulin, and SHARP all came to

stay at her house on the night of the shooting because they had been kicked out of SHARP’s

4
 Case: 5:24-mj-05090-MAS Doc #: 1-1 Filed: 03/01/24 Page: 5 of 7 - Page ID#: 6

mother’s house in Richmond, Kentucky. advised that she saw the suspects removing

bags out of their car before carrying them into her house when they arrived earlier on February 28,

2024.

15. stated that SHARP, Jatiece Parks, and Zalan Dulin were all at the

house when she fell asleep for the night. She stated that she heard the three running back into the

house after she awoke to the gunfire and when she talked to them, they claimed that they were

being shot at by a car across the street.

16. In support of the investigation of the shooting event, LPD Detectives canvassed

video in the area and located two surveillance videos of investigative use. Both videos showed

the three (3) suspects exit the side of Royal Avenue, Unit A and walk around the back of the

structure. Gunfire can subsequently be observed in both videos. In one of the videos, the gunfire

can be heard. Additionally, the suspect wearing a gray sweatshirt and gray pants, identified as

SHARP, was seen carrying a firearm as he ran back to the house on Royal Avenue. SHARP was

wearing shoes that matched those he was wearing when he was called out of the residence by LPD.

17. On February 29, 2024, Investigators conducted a follow up interview of

and regarding the firearms found in their house. Both individuals denied ownership

of firearms and there should not be any firearms in the residence.

Firearms Interstate Nexus Determination

18. Investigators discussed details concerning the firearms seized from 409 Royal,

Unit A in Lexington on February 29, 2024 with ATF Interstate Nexus Expert Special Agent James

Freeman who advised that the two (2) Century Arms Draco style pistols (7.62 x 39 caliber), one

(1) Glock, Model 41, .45 caliber pistol, one (1) Glock, Model 20, 10mm pistol, and one (1) Glock,

Model 22, .40 caliber pistol affixed with a machinegun conversion device are firearms as defined

5
 Case: 5:24-mj-05090-MAS Doc #: 1-1 Filed: 03/01/24 Page: 6 of 7 - Page ID#: 7

under Federal law and are manufactured outside the commonwealth of Kentucky.

Prior Conviction Documentation

19. On February 29, 2024, ATF Special Agent John Morgan conducted a criminal

history query via NCIC for Sharp, using his personal identifying information. This check

revealed multiple prior felony arrests in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and a prior conviction

for a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one (1) year. More particularly,

Sharp was convicted in Fayette County, Kentucky Circuit Court Case #17-CR-01229 of Theft by

Unlawful Taking and was sentenced to serve two (2) years and one (1) day.

CONCLUSION

19. I believe that the facts set forth above support that there is probable cause to believe

that, on or about February 29, 2024, in Fayette County, in the Eastern Judicial District of Kentucky,

DAQUIS DAMARR SHARP did knowingly and intentionally possess one or more firearms

capable of discharging projectiles by means of an explosion and that have traveled in interstate or

foreign commerce after having been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment

exceeding one (1) year, all in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).

I declare under the penalty of perjury that the above-statement is true and correct to the

best of my knowledge, information, and belief.

/s/ Russell King

_______________________________
Russel King, Special Agent
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives