Several people shot along I-75 in Kentucky, officials searching for accused shooter

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. ( FOX 56 /NEXSTAR/AP) — A manhunt was underway early Sunday as police searched for a gunman in a rural area of southeastern Kentucky near Interstate 75, according to authorities who said seven people were hurt in the shooting and a vehicle accident that accompanied the violence.

The shooting Saturday was followed by an intense search for a suspect by multiple law enforcement agencies. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook that it was an “active shooter situation” and “numerous persons” were shot near the highway.

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, said authorities were notified about 5:30 p.m. Saturday about gunshots along Interstate 75. When they arrived at the scene in London, a small city of about 8,000 located about 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Lexington, they found numerous vehicles on the side of the highway at Exit 49.

“When our first two units got to the scene there, they said it was a madhouse: people on the sides of the road, emergency flashers going, bullet holes, windows shot out, nine vehicles shot. Can you imagine that? Just chaotic,” Acciardo said during a news conference Sunday.

Five people were shot and all were in stable condition early Sunday, although some of the victims had “very serious” injuries, including one person who was shot in the face, Acciardo said.

Two other people were hurt in the vehicle accident, he said.

Police blocked traffic in both directions on the highway because they did not know where the bullets came from. “We’re still attempting to determine that,” Acciardo said.

Authorities believe there was only one shooter and Acciardo said they do not believe the shooting was sparked by road rage.

Late Saturday night, LCSO announced a person of interest in the shooting, whom officials are asking for information on — though they warn everyone not to approach him. According to LCSO’s Facebook post , the person of interest is 32 year-old Joseph A. Couch. He’s described as a white male, weighing about 154 pounds and standing at 5′ 10″.

Acciardo cautioned that authorities “have not determined that this is the individual that fired the weapon.”

If you have any information about Couch or his whereabouts, you’re asked to call Laurel County 911 or (606) 878-7000.

State lawmakers from Laurel County urged residents in the area to stay home as police continued to search for the shooter.

“Without a doubt, this is an act of senseless violence that does not reflect the values of this community, our Commonwealth, or its people,” they said in a statement.

Gov. Andy Beshear posted on X around 7:23 p.m. that the situation is being monitored, and asked for prayers “for everyone involved.”

“I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our Office of Homeland Security — together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible,” said Beshear.

This is a developing story.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.