Local, state and federal law enforcement personnel continue to search for a suspect accused of shooting into vehicles traveling on I-75 near London late Saturday afternoon.
Joseph A. Couch, 32, of Woodbine, is wanted for firing an AR-15 into 12 vehicles and shooting five people, including one person who was shot in the face and one shot in the chest, at approximately 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The shooting took place approximately eight miles north of London near Exit 49, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office.
All of the victims are expected to survive.
The suspect fired between 20 and 30 shots during the assault. Police found Couch’s firearm in a wooded area adjacent to the interstate.
“It (the firearm) is in a wooded area next to the interstate, in a location that he could have shot down upon the interstate from,” according to Laurel County Deputy and spokesman, Gilbert Acciardo.
Couch’s vehicle, “a small silver colored SUV,” has also been recovered from the woods “very near the interstate, but not close enough that the person of interest could have fired from that location,” Acciardo said.
Police, who are using all available ground and air resources searching for the suspect, said Couch “could be somewhere else; anywhere else.” But authorities urged residents in the area to remain diligent and call 911 if Couch is spotted.
“If you think you hear something outside of your home, please do not go outside shooting, “London Mayor Randall Weddle said on social media. “Our officers could be in that area or first responders. Call 911.”
Police remain unclear on a motive.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said on Sunday that Couch bought the AR-15 and 1,000 rounds of ammunition from a local business on Saturday. The sheriff’s office also said that Couch served four years in the National Guard.
Participating in the search now being led by Kentucky State Police are the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, the Lexington, London, Corbin, Williamsburg, Mt. Vernon, and Richmond Police Departments, Rockcastle County Sheriff’s Office, and Bluegrass Army Depot Police.
Couch, according to online records, was arrested in February 2024 for third-degree terroristic threatening in Knox County. The charge was later dropped. In 2020, he was jailed in Whitley County for DUI and leaving the scene of an accident.
Several school districts will be closed Monday as the manhunt for Couch continues. The list of schools that will be closed include: Barbourville Independent Schools, Clay County Schools, Corbin Independent Schools, East Bernstadt Independent Schools, Jackson County Schools, Knox County Schools, Laurel County Schools, Rockcastle County Schools, Whitley County Schools, and Williamsburg Independent Schools.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
