In a chilling event near a Kentucky highway Saturday night, multiple people were shot, prompting a large-scale search for a suspect described as “armed and dangerous.” Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant as they continue their investigation.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the shooting occurred near a stretch of Interstate 75, roughly nine miles north of London, Kentucky. The interstate was temporarily closed during the initial law enforcement response but has since been reopened. The sheriff’s office described the incident as an “active shooter situation” in a public statement.
London Mayor Randall Weddle, in a video posted on social media, revealed that seven individuals were injured in the chaos. The injuries were caused both by gunfire and related traffic accidents on the highway. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported.
“No one was killed from this, thankfully,” Weddle said. “But we ask that you continue to pray for the injured and those affected.”
Local hospital Saint Joseph London also confirmed that it had received “multiple patients” from the incident, with the injuries described as minor. “We are devastated by the events that occurred along Interstate 75 in Laurel County, Kentucky,” the hospital said in a statement. The University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital in Lexington received two additional patients from the scene, but no further details were provided about their condition.
Authorities have identified Joseph A. Couch, 32, as a person of interest in the case. Couch is described as a white male, standing 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing around 154 pounds. Law enforcement officials have cautioned the public not to approach Couch, warning that he is considered dangerous. Instead, anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact the authorities immediately.
Efforts to locate Couch are ongoing, with local law enforcement focusing on the wooded areas near the interstate. “We have officers actively searching the area,” said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident has drawn attention from across the state, with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear acknowledging the situation on social media. “We are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible,” Beshear posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) has also been called in to assist local and state authorities in their search and investigation.
The situation has severely impacted traffic on Interstate 75, with motorists being diverted away from the affected stretch near Highway 49. The Mount Vernon Fire Department issued a statement on Facebook, asking drivers to avoid the area as the investigation continues.
As of now, the motive behind the attack remains unclear, and residents of the area have been urged to remain cautious as law enforcement continues its search for the suspect.
This developing story highlights the critical need for cooperation between local and state agencies, as well as the ongoing threat posed by the suspect. Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
