Kentucky police have located an SUV and an AR-15 rifle belonging to a suspect believed to have opened fire on Interstate 75, injuring multiple individuals and causing a car accident. The manhunt for 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch remains ongoing.
Kentucky authorities have made significant progress in their investigation of an active shooting incident on Interstate 75, with the recovery of an SUV and an AR-15 rifle connected to the suspect. The search for the gunman, identified as 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, continues.
On Saturday evening, the Laurel County Sheriff's Office reported the discovery of a small silver-colored SUV registered to Couch off a U.S. Forest Service Road near exit 49 off I-75. A rifle case was also found in the vehicle.
Active Shooter Manhunt Continues in Kentucky After SUV and AR-15 Rifle Recovered
On Sunday afternoon, sheriff's deputies located a rifle near I-75 in the vicinity of the SUV recovered the previous evening. These discoveries mark a crucial development in the investigation and the ongoing manhunt.
The shooting unfolded around 6 p.m. on Saturday near exit 49 along I-75, prompting an immediate police response. Initial reports indicated that a suspect was firing at drivers from an overpass or a wooded area. Authorities subsequently named Couch as a person of interest in the incident.
Active Shooter Manhunt Continues in Kentucky After SUV and AR-15 Rifle Recovered
According to Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, five individuals were shot and are currently in stable condition. However, some of the victims have sustained severe injuries, including one who was shot in the face. Two others were injured in the resulting vehicle accident.
Due to the onset of darkness, the search was temporarily suspended on Saturday night. However, the scene remained "contained" overnight, and the search resumed on Sunday.
Active Shooter Manhunt Continues in Kentucky After SUV and AR-15 Rifle Recovered
Authorities are actively searching for Couch in a rugged area with dense tree lines, as described by London Mayor Randall Weddle. The search involves multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Kentucky State Police, the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, and the London Police Department.
Investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting. Motives and any potential connections to previous incidents are under investigation.
The Laurel County Sheriff's Office has requested assistance from the public, urging anyone with information about Couch's whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling the Laurel County Sheriff's Office at (606) 864-6600.
The discovery of the SUV and the AR-15 rifle provides valuable evidence for investigators and may shed light on the suspect's movements and intentions. The ongoing manhunt for Couch emphasizes the urgency of apprehending him to ensure the safety of the community and to hold him accountable for his alleged actions.
