Kentucky shooting suspect’s chilling texts revealed as manhunt continues into fourth day
Couch still believed to be in national forest, since no evidence to show he ever left, state troopers said Tuesday
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The suspected Kentucky highway shooter sent a text vowing to "kill a lot of people" less than 30 minutes before he opened fire and wounded five on Saturday, according to his arrest warrant.
“I’m going to kill a lot of people. Well try at least,” Joseph Couch, 32, wrote in a message that he sent to an unidentified woman ahead of the attack.
According the police filing, he also wrote:“I’ll kill myself afterwards…”
The warrant states that the woman called 911 after receiving the alarming messages, and later showed police screenshots of the text on Sunday morning, according to CBS News.
The manhunt for Couch has continued into its fourth day on Tuesday after he allegedly opened fire on vehicles travelling on Interstate-75, about nine miles north of London, Kentucky. Authorities believe Couch fired from a cliff ledge next to Exit 49.
Kentucky State Trooper Scottie Pennington assured the public, during a media briefing on Tuesday, that authorites are “committed to resolving the situation as swiftly and safely as possible.”
Pennington said police believe Couch is still in the national forest, since there is no evidence to show he ever left. “This is not a small area…This is thousands and thousands of acres,” he added.
Police have described the area as an “very unforgiving terrain” with dense vegetation, cliffs, and mountains.
The state trooper said “time is crunched” due to fog and the darkness in the woods, creating a harsh work environment for authorities. He also urged locals to “ suspend your activities” in the area, like cocoon hunting, riding ATVs, canoeing down the Rockcastle River.
“It’s a lot hotter today. I hope he doesn’t have water. I hope he doesn’t have food. I hope he’s worn out and walks out of the woods,” Pennington said.
Laurel County Sheriff John Root added that they had collected evidence from his home, but declined to share any additional details.
“There are a lot of tips that are still under investigation,” Pennington added.
The shooting started at around 5:30pm on Saturday, and resulted in five people being taken to hospital with varying levels of injuries, according to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office.
Some victims were so severely injured that deputies arriving on the scene drove them straight to an area hospital themselves. All five victims are reportedly in a stable condition.
Couch is considered “armed and dangerous,” and members of the public were urged not to approach him, and to call 911 if they spot him.
A $25,000 reward is available for anyone who can provide information leading to Couch’s arrest - comprised of donations from an anonymous donor, London Laurel County Crime Stoppers, and United Way of London.
On Sunday afternoon, an AR rifle was found near the I-75 and “in the vicinity’ of where the car was found. It was confirmed to have been legally obtained by its owner. Sheriff Root confirmed on Sunday that the primary weapon used by the shooter seems to have been an AR-15.
As the search for Couch is ongoing, several Kentucky school districts have closed, with a few shifting to remote learning.
Residents living near to the scene of the shooting reported taking extreme precautions while the manhunt is ongoing.
“We go home and lights go off, and we go upstairs and our doors stay locked,” said local resident Brandi Campbell.
One of Couch’s Knox County neighbors, who remained anonymous, told WYMT that something unbenwost to him caused their relationship to sour.
One day, apparently unprompted, he said that Couch reportedly pointed a gun at him and threw a rock at his dog. The incident occurred in front of the neighbor’s nine-year-old child.
“I tried reasoning with him but of course there was no reasoning with him”, the unnamed neighbor said. “I went and had a warrant for his arrest. After they picked him up I figure they would notify me. Never did notify me of a court date or nothing. Wasn’t even notified of his release, after this man pointed a gun and threatened my life and my child’s life.”
The neighbor said his dog died days later but it’s not clear if being hit by the rock was the cause.
If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you