A Kentucky man accused of brutally killing and mutilating an unhoused person has been killed in an officer-involved shooting, according to police.
Authorities said Michael Hristov was under investigation in connection with a horrifying attack on a homeless encampment in Louisville when officers went to serve a search warrant at his home.
The case began after officials were reportedly warned about Hristov in a December 2025 Reddit post that claimed someone was going around attacking homeless people.
That same month, investigators found a man named Michael Howard dead in a homeless encampment. According to authorities, Howard had been brutally murdered and mutilated. His body was reportedly found nude, and some of his toes were missing.
Police also believe Hristov may have tried to kill another unhoused person in December 2025 by stabbing them.
Investigators said they tracked Hristov through footage connected to an earlier nonfatal stabbing. That eventually led authorities to obtain warrants for his home and other belongings.
What they allegedly found only made the case more disturbing.
Authorities said Hristov had a fascination with serial killers and a history of animal torture and abuse. According to KPTV, he was also known to idolize mass shooters and had allegedly made statements in the past about wanting to hunt homeless people.
During the investigation, police reportedly searched Hristov’s bag and found a toe believed to belong to murder victim Michael Howard, along with blood.
Hristov was killed when officers arrived to serve a search warrant at his home.
Police said SWAT team members tried to negotiate with him and keep the situation calm, but Hristov allegedly began shooting at officers. He was then killed in the officer-involved shooting.
Louisville Metropolitan Police Department Deputy Chief Emily McKinney said Hristov had previously been investigated by federal officials over threats.
Authorities are also looking into whether he may be connected to any other attacks on unhoused people in the area.
The investigation remains ongoing.
