Authorities search for shooter along I-75 in southeastern Kentucky with up to 7 people hurt

Bruce Schreiner, Associated Press

LONDON, Ky. (AP) — A manhunt was underway early Sunday arsenic constabulary searched for a gunman successful a agrarian area of southeastern Kentucky adjacent Interstate 75, according to authorities who said 7 group were wounded successful nan shooting and a conveyance mishap that accompanied nan violence.

The shooting Saturday was followed by an aggravated hunt for a fishy by aggregate rule enforcement agencies. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said successful a station connected Facebook that it was an “active shooter situation” and “numerous persons” were changeable adjacent nan highway.

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for nan Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, said authorities were notified astir 5:30 p.m. Saturday astir gunshots on Interstate 75. When they arrived astatine nan segment successful London, a mini metropolis of astir 8,000 located astir 75 miles (120 kilometers) southbound of Lexington, they recovered galore vehicles connected nan broadside of nan road astatine Exit 49.

“When our first 2 units sewage to nan segment there, they said it was a madhouse: group connected nan sides of nan road, emergency flashers going, slug holes, windows changeable out, 9 vehicles shot. Can you ideate that? Just chaotic,” Acciardo said during a news convention Sunday.

Five group were changeable and each were successful unchangeable information early Sunday, though immoderate of nan victims had “very serious” injuries, including 1 personification who was changeable successful nan face, Acciardo said.

Two different group were wounded successful nan conveyance accident, he said.

Police blocked postulation successful some directions connected nan road because they did not cognize wherever nan bullets came from. “We’re still attempting to find that,” Acciardo said.

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, Public accusation Officer pinch nan Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, gives specifications connected nan advancement of nan investigation of nan shooting on I-75 successful London, Ky., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. | Timothy D. Easley, Associated Press

Authorities judge location was only 1 shooter, and Acciardo said they do not judge nan shooting was sparked by roadworthy rage.

Officers from aggregate rule enforcement agencies searched a remote, wooded area, but yet suspended nan hunt because of darkness. The hunt will resume astatine daybreak Sunday, he said.

“We do person nan area contained correct now. It’s a very fluid investigation. Our group are still connected nan scene. Our typical consequence squad is there. We are trying to find a shooter there,” Acciardo said.

The sheriff’s agency said a “Person of Interest” has been identified successful relationship pinch nan shooting, saying he should beryllium considered equipped and dangerous, and group should not attack him. The man’s sanction was fixed arsenic Joseph A. Couch, a 32-year-old achromatic male, and anyone pinch accusation astir his location was urged to telephone nan region 911 center.

Acciardo cautioned that authorities “have not wished that this is nan individual that fired nan weapon.”

This image released by Kentucky’s London Police Department shows Joseph A. Couch, a personification of liking successful nan Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, shootings connected Interstate 75 adjacent London, Ky. | London Police Department via Associated Press

State lawmakers from Laurel County urged residents successful nan area to enactment location arsenic constabulary continued to hunt for nan shooter.

“Without a doubt, this is an enactment of senseless unit that does not bespeak nan values of this community, our Commonwealth, aliases its people,” they said successful a statement.

The interstate was closed 9 miles (14 kilometers) northbound of London but reopened astir 3 hours later, according to nan sheriff’s office.

In an video update connected Facebook precocious Saturday night, London Mayor Randall Weddle tried to calm fears arsenic nan hunt continued for nan gunman. He urged residents to telephone 911 if they perceive aliases spot thing suspicious adjacent their homes.

“We’re asking folks please do not spell extracurricular your location shooting because we mightiness person first responders successful that area. It’s important to cognize you are safe. We person aggregate agencies successful this community, successful nan metropolis of London and successful Laurel County,” Weddle said.

Weddle said searchers “know nan wide area wherever this individual is,” but he would not merchandise circumstantial details.

“I americium receiving first reports from nan Kentucky State Police and our Office of Homeland Security — together we are actively monitoring nan business and offering support successful immoderate measurement possible,” Gov. Andy Beshear said successful a station connected nan societal level X. “Please believe for everyone involved.”