At Least Five People Shot On Major Kentucky Highway, Manhunt Ensues For Prime Suspect With History Of Making Terroristic Threats
A manhunt is underway for a man suspected of shooting at least five individuals on Kentucky’s Interstate 75 on Saturday evening.
32-year-old Joseph A. Couch is believed to be the individual who perpetrated the shooting, which took place just north of London, Kentucky, near Exit 49. Couch is described as a White man about 5 foot 10 inches, weighing around 154 pounds. He is considered armed and dangerous, per police, and should not be approached.
“If you have any information regarding the whereabouts or location on this individual please contact the London-Laurel County 911 Center by calling 911 or 606-878-7000,” said a statement from the London Police Department, per Fox News.
Local outlet Lex18 reported that the suspect was firing at drivers from a nearby hilltop. Couch’s vehicle was recovered last night on a forest service road, where they identified him as a person of interest, and an AR-15 was recovered on Sunday morning from the woods near the interstate, per Laurel County Public Affairs Deputy Gilbert Acciardo. Acciardo noted that authorities “have not determined that [Couch] is the individual that fired the weapon.”
Acciardo also confirmed that all the victims are in stable condition as of early Sunday, with some victims sustaining “very serious” injuries, including one person who was shot in the face, per Fox News. Two victims were reportedly injured due to a car accident that occurred as a result of the shooting.
“Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County,” wrote Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear on X. “Law enforcement has shut the interstate down in both directions at exit 49. Please avoid the area. We will provide more details once they are available.”
“I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our Office of Homeland Security,” Beshear wrote in a followup post. “Together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible. Please pray for everyone involved.”