With alleged I-75 shooter still at large, Laurel judge-executives urges caution, praises law enforcement officers

With alleged mass shooter Joseph Couch still not found, the top elected official in Laurel County is urging citizens to be careful. Couch is accused of shooting five people on I-75 Saturday and local, state and federal law enforcement officers have been searching for him since then. Judge-Executive David Westerfield said Laurel County residents are understandably concerned about Couch’s whereabouts.

“I've encouraged everybody to take every precaution necessary. You know, locking their vehicle, locking their house, just doing whatever they need to do to feel secure and make sure this person doesn't invade them.”

Westerfield praised law enforcement personnel searching for Couch and said the county is doing everything possible to support them.

“We have lots of resources in our county that we've accumulated over the years, and as far as I'm concerned, they're doing an awesome job. They're doing everything they can to try to find this person.”

Tuesday, the United Way of Laurel County pledged $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Couch, bringing the total to $35,000.

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