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Law enforcement in Kentucky is intensifying their manhunt for a gunman who targeted motorists driving on a busy highway over the weekend.
Let’s bring you up to speed: According to authorities, a shooter fired into traffic on Interstate 75 near London, Kentucky, on Saturday evening, hitting nine vehicles and wounding five people. The gunman, positioned off the highway near Exit 49, targeted both northbound and southbound lanes. One person was shot in the face, while others sustained serious injuries. Two additional people were hurt in a crash related to the shooting. Authorities described the incident as a random act of violence, with no apparent motive or road rage involved.
Who authorities are looking for: Both Federal and local law enforcement have launched a manhunt for 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, who has been identified as the shooter. Couch’s SUV was found near the scene of the shooting, and investigators recovered a weapon from a nearby wooded area, leading them to name him as the primary suspect. The search is in a remote, rugged area north of London where they believe Couch may still be hiding. Despite the intensive search effort, including drones and special response teams, Couch’s whereabouts are unknown.
Digging Deeper: On the day of the shooting, Couch legally bought an AR-15 rifle and around 1,000 rounds of ammunition from a local Kentucky gun store. Laurel County Sheriff John Root confirmed that Couch passed all required background checks with no record that would have blocked the purchase.
Warnings to the public: Law enforcement officials have urged residents in the area to stay indoors and avoid the search zone. Schools in the region have also closed as a precaution. In a statement, London Mayor Randall Weddle said, “We’re asking folks please do not go outside your home shooting because we might have first responders in that area. It’s important to know you are safe. We have multiple agencies in this community, in the city of London and in Laurel County.”
