Kentucky authorities intensified the search for a man accused of opening fire on Interstate 75, naming him as an official suspect Sunday in a shooting that injured five people from gunshots, three from car crashes and shut down a major highway the day before.
The search for Joseph Couch, 32, has continued for 24 hours in southeastern Kentucky after authorities came upon a chaotic scene Saturday, where they found cars riddled with bullet holes and sheriff’s deputies taking some injured to the hospital. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office warned Sunday that Couch is considered “armed and dangerous,” as they continued a difficult backwoods search with the help of federal agencies.
The search has been grueling, said Laurel County Sheriff John Root (R). Officials say they are focused on an area off Exit 49 of I-75, where Couch’s vehicle was found.
“That’s probably one of the most remote exits along I-75,” Root said during a news conference Sunday afternoon. “It’s a big task.”
The shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. Saturday on I-75, according to Root. At least five people and nine vehicles were shot near Exit 49 of the highway, about eight miles north of the city of London, Root said. London, a city of about 7,600 people, is roughly a 75-mile drive south of Lexington.
An additional three people were injured in crashes around the shooting, Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff’s office, said in a news conference Sunday afternoon. All injured victims are expected to survive. The exact reason for the shooting is yet to be determined, Acciardo said, adding that it was not a road rage incident.
Authorities found “an AR-15” rifle and several loaded magazines in a wooded area near the interstate, Acciardo said. Authorities believe this is the weapon used Saturday evening.
Authorities also found a compact SUV off a service road. The car is registered to Couch, officials said.
Authorities are focusing the search on top of the hill in the remote wooded area overlooking Exit 49 of I-75.
“We are still going on the premise that he is up there in the woods,” Acciardo said. “The woods are so thick there, and it’s such a remote area – it’s slow-going.”
Authorities paused the search Saturday night and resumed Sunday morning, the sheriff’s office posted on Facebook.
The interstate was shut down in the early hours of the search but was reopened late Saturday night, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) said on X.
In a video update Saturday night, London Mayor Randall Weddle thanked the sheriff’s office, state police and FBI for their assistance in the search. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was also involved, the agency said on X.
“There is no immediate danger here in the city,” Weddle said. But “if you’re out and about, be vigilant.”
(c) Washington Post