A shooting incident near a Kentucky highway on Saturday night has resulted in five individuals sustaining serious injuries. Authorities are now on the lookout for a person of interest who is deemed “armed and dangerous.”
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office reported that a portion of Interstate 75, located eight miles north of London, was temporarily closed as law enforcement responded to the scene. The interstate has since reopened to traffic.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies discovered that nine vehicles had been shot into along both northbound and southbound lanes of I-75, resulting in five serious injuries. The area was secured overnight, and an “active search” for the person of interest is planned for Sunday morning.
“Thankfully, no fatalities occurred,” said London Mayor Randall Weddle in a Facebook video. “We ask that you keep us in your prayers.” The mayor also indicated that some injuries may have resulted from gunfire and others from traffic collisions, although the sheriff’s statement did not clarify how many were injured specifically from gunfire.
Saint Joseph London hospital reported that it has treated “multiple patients” who suffered minor injuries from the event. “We are devastated by what happened along Interstate 75 in Laurel County, Kentucky, Saturday night,” the hospital said.
The University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington confirmed that it received two patients from the shooting but did not provide further details on their conditions.
The person of interest has been identified as 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch. Kentucky State Police and the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office described him as a white male, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 154 pounds.
Authorities urged the public not to approach Couch but to report any sightings to law enforcement immediately. Deputy Gilbert Acciardo from the sheriff’s office noted that the search for Couch is concentrated in wooded areas near the interstate.
Governor Andy Beshear acknowledged the situation on social media, stating, “We are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible.”
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also assisting state police and local authorities in the investigation.
Traffic on Interstate 75 has now fully resumed in both directions, as confirmed by the Mount Vernon Fire Department. The department’s chief, David Bales, indicated he was not authorized to comment further on the matter.
This story is still developing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.