A manhunt is underway in Kentucky for 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, who opened fire near Interstate 75 over the weekend, wounding five people. The shooting unfolded on Saturday around 6 p.m. near exit 49, and officers have been tirelessly searching a rugged, hilly area of southeastern Kentucky in the search for the suspect. Authorities have recovered an AR-15 rifle and a small silver-colored SUV registered to Couch, but he remains at large. The search area is described as a “jungle,” with machetes needed to cut through thick woods. Despite ongoing efforts, Couch has not been located.
As the manhunt for Couch continues, the community and officers involved are under increasing stress as they search for the suspect who has evaded capture. Several school districts in the area have canceled classes as a precaution, and officials have advised the public to lock doors, keep porch lights on, and monitor security cameras. Couch was initially named a person of interest before authorities found the vehicle near the crime scene. He purchased the weapon and ammunition on the morning of the shooting, and investigators believe he fired 20 to 30 rounds from a wooded area near the highway, striking 12 vehicles and injuring five people, including one with serious facial injuries and two others hurt in a vehicle accident caused by the gunfire.
Despite the challenging terrain and lack of success in locating Couch, officials remain determined to find him. Troopers from around the state have been brought in to assist with the manhunt, and investigators have received numerous tips from the public. Specially trained officers have been strategically placed around the wooded area to prevent the suspect from escaping their perimeter. Laurel County Sheriff John Root emphasized that the search will not stop until Couch is apprehended. The community and authorities involved are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the public and bring the suspect to justice.
The search for Couch has entered its third day, with officers continuing to comb through the rugged terrain in an effort to locate him. The search area, described as a “jungle,” requires the use of machetes to navigate through the thick woods. Despite efforts to track down the suspect, Couch remains on the run. The manhunt resumed on Monday morning in a remote area about eight miles north of London. The ongoing search has placed stress on the community and officers involved, with authorities urging the public to remain vigilant and take precautions to enhance their safety.
Authorities have been working tirelessly to track down Couch, who remains at large following the shooting near Interstate 75 that left five people injured. The suspect, who has a military background, purchased a weapon and ammunition on the morning of the shooting and is believed to have fired multiple rounds from a wooded area near the highway. The search has involved troopers from various areas and received an outpouring of tips from the public. Despite the challenges posed by the difficult terrain, officers are determined to locate Couch and bring him to justice. Laurel County Sheriff John Root has emphasized the continued dedication of law enforcement in the search for the suspect.
