A shooting incident along a Kentucky highway on Saturday night has resulted in serious injuries to five individuals, prompting authorities to search for a person of interest deemed “armed and dangerous.”
Law enforcement officials from the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office reported that a section of Interstate 75, located eight miles north of London, was temporarily closed as they responded to the scene. The highway has since reopened.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies discovered that nine vehicles had been shot at in both directions on I-75, with five individuals suffering serious injuries. They indicated that the area would be contained overnight, with an active search for the suspect slated to begin at dawn on Sunday.
London Mayor Randall Weddle stated in a Facebook video, “No one was killed from this, thankfully. But we ask that you continue to pray.” He previously indicated that some individuals were injured due to gunfire while others were hurt in vehicle collisions; however, the sheriff’s statement did not clarify the number of injuries caused specifically by gunfire.
Saint Joseph London hospital reported that it had treated multiple patients from the shooting incident, all of whom sustained minor injuries. “We are devastated by the events that occurred along Interstate 75 in Laurel County, Kentucky, Saturday night,” the hospital said in a statement.
The University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington also received two patients from the incident but did not provide additional details concerning their conditions.
The person of interest has been identified as 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, as mentioned by Kentucky State Police and the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office. He is described as a white male, measuring 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 154 pounds.
In a statement shared via Facebook, the sheriff’s office advised the public not to approach Couch but to immediately report any sightings to local authorities.
Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, noted that search efforts were concentrated in wooded areas near the interstate.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear acknowledged the incident on the social media platform X, stating, “We are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible.”
Agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been deployed to assist state police and local law enforcement, according to the ATF.
Traffic on I-75 has been fully restored in both directions, according to a Facebook post from the Mount Vernon Fire Department. Chief David Bales of the department stated that he was not authorized to comment further on the situation.
This is an ongoing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.