A shooting incident on Kentucky’s Interstate 75 left five people injured after a gunman opened fire from a cliff. The attack, which occurred on September 7, instilled fear in local communities and sparked a manhunt for the suspect, identified as 32-year-old Joseph Couch.
Couch had reportedly sent threatening messages to a woman prior to the shooting, expressing his intention to “kill a lot of people” and then take his own life. In the days following the incident, Fred and Sheila McCoy decided to join the search for Couch in the remote areas of the Daniel Boone National Forest, motivated by both the substantial reward of $35,000 offered for information leading to his capture and the desire to restore safety to their community.
As law enforcement conducted an extensive search through rugged terrain, schools closed and local residents were advised to stay away from the wilderness. Businesses shuttered their doors as authorities received thousands of tips regarding Couch’s whereabouts.
The McCoys discovered a decomposing body in the forest after noticing vultures circling overhead. During a livestream, they shared their shocking finding, which law enforcement later confirmed to be Couch’s body. The location of the body was near Interstate 75, close to where the shooting occurred.
Authorities believe the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, although DNA confirmation is pending. While the investigation into the shooting’s motive continues, local sheriff John Root expressed regret that Couch had not been captured alive to answer questions regarding his intentions.
The McCoys are expected to receive the reward for their role in finding Couch. The shooting incident has left communities rattled, leading to school cancellations and heightened vigilance among residents. This event marks yet another instance reflecting a troubling trend of gun violence across the country, with numerous mass shootings reported this year.