Manhunt Still Underway for Mass Shooter in Kentucky
September 09, 2024, 2:05am -- LONDON, KY -- by: Bernard Pierrer Jackson -The Blake Moia Show National Correspondent
UPDATED: 6PM SEP. 09, 2024
Authorities release photos of the suspect's vehicle that was abandoned near the scene of the shootings.
Officials Provide Update in Kentucky Manhunt
Police say they are offering a $15,000 reward offered for information leading to an arrest.
Kentucky State Police say they found a cell phone belonging to Joseph A. Couch, with the battery taken out and a large green Army duffel bag with his name written in black marker on the bag.
Text messages obtained by law enforcement show several threats that were made just minutes before the incident happened. Couch allegedly told a family member that he was going to "kill a whole lot of people today", and "I will kill myself after", the text messages read. Couch is wanted for five counts each of criminal attempt to commit murder and first-degree criminal assault.
State police Master Trooper Scottie Pennington, a spokesman for a local news agency in Kentucky, said troopers are being brought in from across the state to aid in the search focused on a remote area about 8 miles (13 kilometers) north of London. He described the extensive search area as “walking in a jungle” with machetes needed to cut through thickets.
“We have cliff beds. We have sinkholes. We have caves,” Pennington said Monday. “We have culverts that go under the interstate. We have creeks and rivers and the dense brush.”
“We’re not going to quit until we do lay hands on him,” Laurel County Sheriff John Root said.
Kentucky State Police Troopers provide an image of the dense, thick and dangerous terrain in the search area of Kentucky. State Police Troopers are using machettes to cut through the thick brush.
Third Day of Intense Manhunt Underway For I-75 Shooter in Ky
Authorities in Kentucky are saying the search is continuing into its third day for the shooting suspect accused of shooting at a dozen cars on Thursday evening.
Police believe 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch fired his weapon from a ledge on a cliff next to the interstate. Gunfire struck passing cars and wounding several innocent motorists in an apparent random shooting. The wounded suffering gunshots to the face, arms and chest.
According to the Laurel County Sheriff, John Root, the search is contained in a heavily wooded, rugged and hilly area off exit 49 and I-75, eight miles north of London, Ky.
Nearby, police recovered and seized a vehicle belonging to the suspect, who is identified as 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch. The vehicle is a Toyota SUV.
Inside the SUV was an AR-15 rifle as well as a carrying case for the weapon, according to the sheriff. Authorities confirmed Couch purchased 2,000 rounds of ammo and an AR-15 rifle the morning of the shooting. It remains unclear if that's the weapon he bought earlier in the day.
The FBI confirmed Couch's military record at the press conference, saying that he was on the National Guard and enlisted with the Engineering Brigade.
Law Enforcement personal with the FBI, ATF, U.S. Marshals, the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, The Kentucky State Police, London Police, and other agencies are assisting with the search was reportedly assisting with the search and apprehension of the suspect. However, at a press briefing yesterday, it was announced that the Kentucky State Police would be taking over the search efforts.
The search will resume at daylight, as it is simply "too dangerous" to search the unforgiving terrain at night, the FBI said in a media briefing.
Administrators and public safety officials said schools in the area will be shut down, and officials urge the public to be on "high alert" and be "vigilant about your surroundings." Joseph Couch is considered armed and extremely dangerous.
BREAKING: Active Shooter On-Going in Kentucky, I-75 Shut Down
Sep 05, 2024 -- TheBlakeMoiaShow.com Staff Report -- Published 9pm
Confirmed: Multiple Wounded, Active Shooter Underway
Authorities are searching for an active shooter suspect in Laurel County, Kentucky.
“I-75 is closed at mile marker/Exit 49, and U.S. 25, nine miles north of London due to an active shooter situation,” the Laurel County Sheriff’s office said in a post on Facebook. “Numerous persons have been shot near I-75.”
Police scanner reports from law enforcement say that the shooter "has military experience and called in threats earlier today."
"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."
Several law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, FBI and 2 Kentucky State Police helicopters responded to the scene. The active shooter escaped into a wooded area. The suspect has not been captured.
"CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS"
Authorities just identified 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch as the shooter.
In a Facebook post, the Lauer County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Couch is a white male approximately 5’10 weighing approximately 154lbs.
Authorities confirmed via radio traffic that earlier today, Couch had purchased an AR-15 with 2,000 rounds.
Couch was also reportedly making threats and has "prior military experience."
Law enforcement warns the public to do not attempt to approach and he is considered armed and dangerous.
2am Update from Authorities
Updated: 1:55am -- *** Update on shooting on I-75 in Laurel County, Kentucky***
"Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: Laurel County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a gunshot victim complaint on I – 75 at exit 49 approximately 8 miles north of London on Saturday afternoon September 7, 2024 at approximately 5:30 PM.
Arriving deputies found nine vehicles had been shot into both north and south bound on I-75 and five persons were seriously injured. Deputies on scene transported injured to a local hospital for treatment. Other Sheriff's deputies along with the Sheriff's office special response team along with London city police and Kentucky state police arrived at the scene to secure the scene.
I – 75 was closed for several hours for safety reasons because of the danger to passing cars in the area of the shootings. Investigation began and a lead was developed on a person of interest and the search for this person of interest is continuing. He is identified as: Joseph A. Couch age 32 of Woodbine, KY described as 5'10" and weighing approximately 154 pounds. This individual is considered to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached. 911 should be called.
The scene is being contained overnight and an active search and the continuing investigation will occur at daybreak on Sunday morning.
Agencies assisting included: London city police, Kentucky state police, Corbin city police, Williamsburg city police, Richmond city police, FBI, US Marshal service, ATF, Lexington Metro, Rockcastle County Sheriff's office, Mount Vernon Police Department, East Bernstadt fire and rescue, London fire department, London – Laurel County rescue squad, Laurel County emergency management, ABC, Blue grass Army Depot Police, and numerous area fire departments."
Authorities also say that the suspect is heavily armed and carrying "several thousand rounds of ammo."
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