Keith BieryGolick

kbierygolick@enquirer.com

Hummus.

That's what officials say led to the shooting of a Warren County sheriff's deputy, an emotional family dispute and a night of violence in Landen on June 9.

Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell revealed for the first time Tuesday what caused the original dispute between the Laghaoui family, which eventually sparked a six-hour manhunt. Fornshell said Mohammed Laghaoui, 19, was eating too much of his father's hummus.

"It all went downhill from there," he said.

That might sound like a joke, but it's not. Fornshell said domestic situations are often sparked by seemingly insignificant events.

When Laghaoui's brother called 911, Laghaoui can be overheard in the background saying he was watching boxing videos because Muhammad Ali had just died.

"I'll knock you the f*** out," he can be heard saying.

Deputy Katie Barnes came to the apartment in the Orchard of Landen complex but left after Laghaoui's father and brother declined to press charges. She was called back to the apartment less than an hour later.

"I can’t believe he just punched my dad in the face," Laghaoui's brother told a police dispatcher. "My mind is racing."

When she arrived, Warren County Sheriff Larry Sims said, Laghaoui opened fire on her with what appeared to be an an AK-47-style rifle.

Barnes was shot, but is expected to make a full recovery. Laghaoui is accused of fleeing the scene. A helicopter flew over Warren County while residents were asked to shelter-in-place for several hours.

Police say Laghaoui returned to his apartment around 4:30 a.m. and was arrested without incident. The weapon he is accused of using, purchased legally in April, has still not been found.

Landen shooting suspect: Charges 'not accurate'

A grand jury indicted Mohammed Laghaoui, 19, on Tuesday for nine felony charges, including attempted aggravated murder, and one misdemeanor charge for domestic violence. In a court appearance last month, Laghaoui said the charges against him were not accurate. He is being held on a $2 million bond.

Laghaoui's father was shot in the hand trying to keep his son out of their apartment. Officials believe part of the deadbolt lock on their door fractured and went through his hand as well.

"He's in a world of pain right now," the prosecutor said.

Fornshell said Laghaoui's father, Abdessadek Laghaoui, lost some of his fingers as a result of the incident. But the family has cooperated with the investigation, Fornshell said.

The prosecutor said after shooting Deputy Barnes and his father, Mohammed Laghaoui shot at a neighbor who came outside to see what was going on.

Jason Ratliff saw someone and tried to speak with them, he previously told The Enquirer. The man turned and fired. Ratliff dove face first into the grass. He heard another bullet whiz by. He looked up and saw the man running.

Ratliff was not hurt.

But the prosecutor said one of the bullets went into Ratliff's home and lodged into a wall in his child's bedroom. Ratliff didn't find it until the next day, Fornshell said. The prosecutor said a child was home, but because of the confusion that night Ratliff could not say for sure if any of his children were in the room at the time.

Laghaoui is scheduled to be arraigned on the new charges on Wednesday. Fornshell said he could face up to 60 years in prison if convicted.