Kentucky shooting: Fugitive suspect still at large after seven hurt in highway shooting
Authorities urged locals to avoid the interstate highway as the shooter is still at large
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A mass shooter — identified as Joseph A Couch, 32 — was at large after opening fire near near I-75 in Kentucky, striking multiple people, according to authorities.
Authorities searched for Couch, considered a “person of interest” in a shooting that broke out just after 6.30pm on Saturday near the interstate highway — nine miles north of London, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office announced.
Although authorities initially closed I-75 at Exit 49 and US 25 due to an “active shooter situation,” at around 9.20pm, the sheriff’s office announced that the highway had reopened in both directions.
Officials warned against approaching him, as he is considered “armed and dangerous”.
He has not yet been apprehended, according to London Mayor Randall Weddle.
Seven people were injured — not all from gunshot wounds — and none have died as a result of the incident, the mayor said. Others were injured from an accident. The victims have not yet been identified and their conditions have not been released.
Governor Andy Beshear urged locals to avoid the area in a post on X: “Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County. 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.”
What we know about the shooting so far
- Laurel County Sheriff’s Office reported an ‘active shooter situation’ around 6.30pm
- “Numerous” people have been shot — but the exact number is not yet known
- The shooter has not been caught, as of 7.48pm
- Kentucky State Police and ATF Louisville are assisting in responding to the incident
‘ Please pray for everyone involved,’ Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says as ‘active shooting situation' is ongoing
What has Kentucky State Police said?
“Ky State Police and the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office have closed I-75 at Mile Marker Exit 49 and US 25, Nine miles north of London due to an active shooter situation!!The Suspect has not been caught at this time we are urging people to stay inside!!We will try our best to get you as much information as it becomes available!!”
-Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington
Parts of the interstate highway are closed
I-75 is closed at Exit 49 and US 25, nine miles north of London, due to an active shooter situation, Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said.
Mount Vernon Fire Department announced that southbound traffic on I-75 is now being diverted off at Exit 59, adding that drivers should “expect heavy congestion and delays in the area.” The department urged locals to avoid the area.
Where is London, Kentucky?
London, Kentucky is about 100 miles south of Lexington.
It is home to about 7,600 people, according to census data.
Interstate remains closed an hour and a half after initial reports, officials say
This shooting comes days after the mass shooting in Winder, Georgia
The Kentucky shooting comes days after a 14-year-old opened fire at his school in Winder, Georgia. He is accused of killing four people — two students and two teachers — and injuring nine others.
The suspected shooter Colt Gray faces murder charges and will be tried as an adult.
His father, 54-year-old Colin Gray, also faces charges. On Thursday, one day after his son’s deadly rampage, Colin was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter, two counts of second-degree murder, and eight counts of cruelty to children, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Wednesday’s shooting marked the 385th shooting in the US this year.
More on the tragedy here:
What we know about the Apalachee High School shooting that left four dead in Georgia
Mass shooting at Apalachee High School in rural Winder, Georgia, is the 385th mass shooting in the country this year and has claimed the lives of two students and two teachers