Manhunt Underway in Rural Kentucky after Shooting and Vehicle Accident
In a rural area of southeastern Kentucky near Interstate 75, authorities launched a manhunt early Sunday for a gunman responsible for a shooting that left seven people injured. The incident occurred on Saturday and was accompanied by a vehicle accident. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office described it as an “active shooter situation” and reported that “numerous persons” were shot near the highway.
Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, provided details of the chaotic scene during a news conference on Sunday. He stated that law enforcement was alerted about gunshots along Interstate 75 around 5:30 p.m. When they arrived in London, a small city with a population of about 8,000 located 75 miles south of Lexington, they discovered multiple vehicles on the side of the highway at Exit 49. Acciardo described the scene as a “madhouse” with people on the sides of the road, emergency flashers blinking, and bullet holes in nine vehicles. He emphasized the chaos and the severity of the situation.
Five people were shot and were reported to be in stable condition early Sunday, although some had sustained “very serious” injuries, including one individual who was shot in the face. Additionally, two other people were injured in the accompanying vehicle accident. Traffic in both directions on the highway was blocked by the police as they initially did not know where the bullets had originated from. The investigation is ongoing to determine the source of the gunfire.
Law enforcement officials believe there was only one shooter and are confident that the incident was not triggered by road rage. Multiple agencies conducted a search of a remote, wooded area, but due to darkness, the search was suspended until daybreak on Sunday. Deputy Acciardo assured the public that the area was contained and that they were actively trying to locate the shooter.
The sheriff’s office identified a “Person of Interest” named Joseph A. Couch, a 32-year-old white male, cautioning that he should be considered armed and dangerous. The public was urged not to approach him and to contact the county 911 center if they had any information regarding his whereabouts. However, Acciardo clarified that they had not yet determined if Couch was the individual who fired the weapon.
State lawmakers from Laurel County issued a statement urging residents to remain at home while the search for the shooter continued. They condemned the act of violence and emphasized that it did not reflect the values of the community or the state.
During a video update on Facebook, London Mayor Randall Weddle assured residents that multiple agencies were involved in the search for the gunman. He requested that residents stay indoors and report anything suspicious to 911, emphasizing the need to prioritize safety. While Weddle acknowledged that authorities knew the general area where the individual was located, he refrained from providing specific details.
Governor Andy Beshear expressed his support and offered assistance in a post on the social platform X. He highlighted the collaboration between the Kentucky State Police and the Office of Homeland Security in actively monitoring the situation. Beshear called for prayers for everyone involved.
The interstate, which had been closed for approximately three hours, reopened 9 miles north of London. As the investigation continues, residents in the area remain on high alert, with law enforcement agencies working tirelessly to apprehend the suspect and ensure the safety of the community.
