Law enforcement is ramping up its manhunt for a suspected highway shooter who went on a rampage on Saturday in Kentucky.
Manhunt for Kentucky shooter escalates
The gunman shot off an AR-15 from a cliff overlooking I-75 near London, Kentucky at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. He hit 12 cars and injured five people, including one who took a bullet to the face.
According to Laurel County Sheriff John Root, there were so many people suffering from severe injuries, that they “loaded” them up into police vehicles and took them to the London hospital themselves.
Thankfully, none of the victims had life-threatening injuries and all were in stable condition. Two other people were injured in a car crash during the shooting, added Deputy Gilbert Acciardo.
Police closed I-75 in both directions for four hours, because the exact location of the shooter was unknown and “we couldn’t risk anyone else getting shot,” Root remarked.
Law enforcement identified Joseph A. Couch, 32, as the suspected shooter, after investigators found an AR-15 rifle and Couch’s car near the crime scene.
Couch served in the National in the Guard for four years and has a “very minimal” criminal record in Kentucky.
He was once charged with making a terroristic threat, but his case was dismissed this year.
Kentucky shooter charged with ten felony counts
His criminal record was upgraded to include five counts of attempted murder and five counts of assault in an arrest warrant on Monday.
The 5’10” and 154 pound suspect could face additional charges of property damage and wanton endangerment as the investigation continues.
The sheriff’s office warned that Couch is armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
He reportedly bought a gun and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition only hours before the shooting.
“He obtained a firearm at a local place here in London,” Root remarked.
Couch sent a text to a woman before the attack, informing her of his plan to “kill a lot of people,” according to his arrest warrant.
“I’m going to kill a lot of people. Well try at least,” Joseph Couch allegedly texted. “I’ll kill myself afterwards…” he added in a follow-up message about 30 minutes before the shooting.
Kentucky State Police took over the search for the suspect on Sunday night, while Laurel County Sheriff’s Office will handle the criminal investigation, including the search of his property that occurred the same night.
The FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also involved in the ongoing investigation.
Law enforcement believes that Couch is hiding in the woods near where he shot at the interstate from. They’re utilizing helicopters, drones, K-9 teams, and ground crews to search the area.
“You can’t do it very fast because you don’t want to leave [any] rock unturned,” Kentucky State Police spokesperson Scottie Pennington said. “You don’t know if he’s in that area. So you’ve gotta be very slow-paced at what you do.”
“Our goal is to apply steady pressure and wear Mr. Couch down the longer he is in the woods,” Pennington noted at a Monday afternoon news conference. “Hopefully he has no water and nothing to eat.”
“We’re not going to quit until we do lay hands on him,” Root concurred. “This effort is not going to stop.”
Police don’t know what Couch’s motive was behind the attack, but believe it was planned, though none of the individuals shot were specifically targeted.
Police advise residents to stay safe during Kentucky manhunt
Law enforcement has encouraged area residents to remain vigilant while Couch remains on the loose.
“You need to lock your doors. If you have security cameras, make sure you’re constantly watching them; maybe keep your porch lights on,” Pennington warned.
“Have your cell phone and make sure your phones are charged up, because you never know when you might have to contact somebody or law enforcement.”
Kentucky State Police are offering a $15,000 reward for information that leads to the suspect’s arrest.
“This message is to him: You can run, but you can’t hide,” London Mayor Randall Weddle commented on Monday.
“We have some of the best agencies in the United States right here in the state of Kentucky, and I am confident they’re going to catch him,” he concluded.
