Manhunt for suspect in Kentucky interstate shooting continues into day 5

LONDON, Ky. ( WDKY ) — A southeastern Kentucky county remains under a state of emergency as the manhunt for a suspected gunman accused of injuring several people traveling on an interstate continues through a fifth day.

Police from multiple agencies have been searching in Laurel County for accused shooter Joseph Couch, 32, who they believe is armed and dangerous.

On Saturday, five people were injured and 12 vehicles were damaged in an alleged shooting near Exit 49 on Interstate 75 near London, Kentucky. Couch was initially considered a person of interest after authorities found a vehicle registered in his name nearby. He was named a suspect on Sunday.

According to an affidavit, Laurel County dispatch received a call earlier in the evening from someone saying she had received a text from Couch advising that he was going to “kill a lot of people.” An emergency cell site tracker was placed on his cellphone, which pinged near Exit 49 just over an hour after shots were fired.

Throughout the investigation, authorities learned that Couch had purchased a Cobalt AR-15 rifle with a Holosun sight and 1,000 rounds of ammunition on the same day of the shooting, per court documents.

Authorities have been searching the Daniel Boone National Forest for Couch since Saturday, referring to it as an all-hands-on-deck situation.

“I hope he doesn’t have water,” said Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington. “I hope he doesn’t have food. And I hope he’s just worn out, and eventually, he’ll walk out of the woods.”

Crews have narrowed their search to the forest area near Exit 49, where the incident happened. Pennington said the area spans thousands of acres.

While investigators have looked into multiple tips with potential leads, they said there is no concrete evidence that Couch has left the woods.

“And some people say, ‘Well, what if he’s not alive anymore?’ Well, we’re going to stay in the woods till we find him,” said Pennington. “And, you know, that’s our job. If he’s dead or alive. It’s our job to try to find him.”

If Couch has died, “nature takes care of itself” and buzzards could gather overhead, which could be a sign for searchers, Pennington said.

Law enforcement officials said it’s important to remain vigilant. Some school systems and businesses have chosen to close while Couch is still at large.

“They’ve chosen to do that just as a safety precaution,” said Laurel County Sheriff John Root. “You know, we can’t advise the superintendents on what action to take. That’s solely up to them. A lot of businesses, maybe, you know, they’re doing outside drive-throughs only and locking the doors, and that’s just a precaution.”

Authorities are asking community members to stay away from the search area and stop all activities there until further notice.

Multiple agencies are involved with the manhunt. Boats are searching the river area, officers and canines are searching the woods on foot, and drones and helicopters are looking for Couch from above.

“They’re looking for heat sources,” said Pennington. “So, if we see a heat source and a heat source moving slowly. You know, [if] it’s moving really, really fast, it’s probably a deer or something like that. But if it’s moving slowly, they’re going to try their best to now start tracking that heat source and getting troopers and deputies to the area where they find that heat source.”

Pennington said the AR-15-style rifle Couch used was found, but that it’s unclear if he has another weapon in his possession.

“Right now, we know he committed a harsh, cruel act of violence and we’ve got to consider him armed and dangerous until we locate him,” Pennington said.

The reward for finding Couch is now up to $35,000 . Law enforcement officials encourage the community to continue coming forward with any tips that may help.

The Associated Press and WDKY’s Madylin Goins contributed to this report.

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