Authorities reallocate resources in I-75 shooter manhunt, focus now shifted to area communities

Officials are shifting gears in the manhunt for Joseph Couch, the suspected Interstate 75 shooter. After searching over 28-thousand acres around the area of the shooting, authorities are now reallocating their resources.

During a press conference, Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Junior said it is not a scale back of operations. He said the focus will now be on the communities in the area.

“The reason why is because he had over 400 tips, that have come in for us to follow up on his apprehension. The majority of those are outside of the National Forest, so we feel like would be better off protecting our communities by moving those personnel.”

Burnett said that will include increased, roving patrols in the area. Bobby Day of the London Police Department said one of their main priorities will be protecting area schools.

“You saw a strong presence of law enforcement officers on every campus, you'll continue to see saturated patrols on campus school grounds, as well as bus routes and anything we can do to help with that.”

Laurel County schools started in-person classes again Tuesday for the first time since the shooting took place on September 7th.

Anyone with any information on Couch's whereabouts are encouraged to call the Kentucky State Police, Laurel County Sheriff's Office, or the London Police Department. The reward for his capture currently stands at $35-thousand dollars.

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