Kentucky Authorities Hunt for Suspect in I-75 Shooting, Multiple Victims Reported

Authorities in Kentucky are currently searching for a suspect involved in an active shooter incident that forced the closure of Interstate 75 in eastern Kentucky for approximately three hours. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office reported that several individuals had been shot, and the shooter remained at large, according to updates on social media.

In a Facebook post, the Sheriff’s Office identified 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch as a person of interest in the case, urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the London-Laurel County 911 Center. The Kentucky State Police spokesperson, Scottie Pennington, also confirmed the situation in a social media post, stating that multiple people were shot.

Initial reports indicate there are between four to six victims, though the extent of their injuries has not yet been confirmed, Pennington to a news outlet.

The interstate was closed at around 6:30 p.m. near Exit 49 and U.S. Route 25, located roughly nine miles north of London, Kentucky. Laurel County, which lies about 90 miles south of Lexington and is home to about 62,000 residents, includes a portion of the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Governor Andy Beshear addressed the situation on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County. Law enforcement has shut the interstate down in both directions at Exit 49. Please avoid the area. We will provide more details once they are available.”

London Mayor Randall Weddle also took to social media, urging residents to stay clear of the vicinity.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) confirmed on X that its agents are working with local authorities to assist in the ongoing investigation.

This shooting on the interstate comes just days after a tragic incident at a high school in Georgia, where a student opened fire, killing two students and two teachers while injuring nine others. Additionally, earlier this week, one suspect was arrested in connection with at least seven shootings that occurred along Interstate 5 in Washington state, spanning a 20-mile stretch between Seattle and Tacoma.

Both incidents add to a troubling pattern of violence occurring on major roadways and in public spaces across the United States.