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.”
London Mayor Weddle says the shooting doesn’t appear to be random: report
Multiple people shot along I-75 in southeastern Kentucky, authorities say
Multiple people were shot Saturday along Interstate 75 in a rural area of southeastern Kentucky, authorities said.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook that it was an “active shooter situation” and “numerous persons” were shot near the highway.
In a video statement, London mayor Randall Weddle said he was told seven people were hurt, but not all of those were wounded by gunfire. Some of the victims were injured in a vehicle accident, he said.
“There are no deceased at this time. No one was killed from this, thankfully, but we ask that you continue to pray,” Weddle said.
Hospital officials at Saint Joseph London said in a statement that the facility was treating multiple patients, LEX 18 reported. The hospital added that the ones it received had minor injuries.
Police identify 'person of interest' as Joseph A Couch
The Laurel County Sheriff’s office has identified a “Person of Interest” in a recent shooting: 32-year-old Joseph A Couch, considered armed and dangerous.
Authorities urge anyone with information on his location to call 911. State lawmakers have advised residents to stay home as police search for the shooter, condemning the act as “senseless violence” that doesn’t reflect community values. A heavy police and fire presence is on the scene, working to address the situation.
ICYMI: Update from the mayor describing manhunt through ‘rugged terrain'
Police reopens Interstate-75
The interstate was closed 14km north of London as police worked to locate the suspect. It was later reopened, announced the governor.
“I-75 has reopened — but this is an ongoing investigation. We thank our law enforcement and first responders for their work,” governor Andy Beshear wrote on X.
Days after another mass shooting
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
Where is London, Kentucky?
London, Kentucky, is a city located in Laurel County, in the southeastern part of the state. It is situated at the crossroads of Interstate 75 and Highway 80. The city is currently in the spotlight due to an active shooter situation that has unfolded in the area, prompting the shutdown of Interstate 75.
Laurel County, with a population of approximately 63,000 according to the 2020 Census, is known for its economic development opportunities, with 17 manufacturers, 12 distribution warehouses, and five food production sites. The county seat, London, is a hub for industrial and commercial activity, with several development projects underway.
What has happened so far
A shooting on Interstate 75 in Kentucky left five people injured and sparked a massive manhunt on Saturday night. Here’s a summary of the events:
- Around 6.30pm, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office reported an active shooter situation on I-75, closing the highway at Exit 49, 14km north of London, Kentucky.
- Five people were shot, but all are in stable condition, according to a spokesperson for Laurel County Sheriff’s Office deputy Gilbert Acciardo.
- Authorities launched a search for the suspect or suspects in rugged terrain in northern Laurel County, using helicopters and infrared scanners.
- A person of interest was identified, and the public was asked for information about their whereabouts.
- The I-75 highway reopened around 9.20pm, but the search for the suspect continued.
- The 49er Truck Stop near the shooting scene was placed on lockdown, with multiple police cars surrounding the facility.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Injury update: Shooting victims receive treatment
According to hospital officials, the individuals injured in the shooting incident are receiving medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries.
Saint Joseph London, a local hospital, has confirmed that it is treating multiple patients for minor injuries.
Meanwhile, two other patients have been transported to the University of Kentucky’s Albert B Chandler Hospital, where their conditions are currently unknown.
Kentucky shooter at large after wounding seven along highway
Kentucky police were searching rugged terrain near a national forest for a suspect after at least seven people were wounded by gunfire while driving down the rural stretch of an interstate highway, officials said on Saturday evening.
The incident began just before 6pm about 14km outside of the town of London, when officers responded to reports of gunshots directed at vehicles traveling on Interstate 75 in Laurel County. The shots came from a wooded area or an overpass, according to local media reports.