LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — A massive search continues for a man accused of shooting 12 vehicles and seriously injuring five people on I-75 in southeastern Kentucky on Saturday.
The Laurel County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to an active shooter situation around exit 49 around 5:30 p.m.
Joseph A. Couch, a 32-year-old from Woodbine, has been identified as a suspect. He is 5'10", 154 pounds and considered armed and dangerous. Arrest warrants show he's been charged with 5 counts of attempted murder and 5 counts of first-degree assault.
Kentucky State Police said local, state and federal authorities are still searching for Couch in a large wooded area along I-75.
"This is one of those things that, it's so important to find this person as soon as possible because lives are at stake and everyone should get involved," said M. Quentin Williams, a former agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "In this case, it's for certain that he is armed and dangerous, because of what he is doing. So, the caution in which they will approach is at the highest priority."
LCSO Public Affairs Deputy Gilbert Acciardo confirmed that an anonymous person had donated $10,000 as reward money for information leading to Couch's arrest. The Kentucky State Police have also announced a $5,000 reward.
According to an affidavit released by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, someone called Laurel County dispatchers saying they received a text from Couch saying that he was "going to kill a lot of people."
Authorities said they tried tracking Couch's phone around 6:53 p.m. and found it was near a cellular tower at I-75 Exit 49 on Cromer Ridge.
Officers later found four people near the exit with gunshot wounds. A fifth person arrived at Saint Joseph London Hospital.
The affidavit said "all five victims had been shot while traveling southbound on I-75."
Authorities first identified Couch as a person of interest and later as a suspect in the shooting. It's believed he shot 20 to 30 rounds. His vehicle, an AR-15, a cell phone with its battery removed and several magazines of ammunition were found near where the shooting took place, according to authorities.
According to the affidavit, someone working for a gun shop in the area told officials that Couch had bought an AR-15 with a sight mounted on it and 1,000 rounds of ammunition on Saturday. It was confirmed during a press conference that Couch bought the gun legally and served in the Army Reserve for at least four years.
According to LEX18, Couch was accused earlier this year of threatening a neighbor with a gun.
LCSO Public Affairs Deputy Gilbert Acciardo said although it's believed the shooting itself was planned—the victims were random. One victim was shot in the face and another was shot in the arm. London Mayor Randall Weddel said none of the shooting victims were from Laurel County.
Couch's home was searched but it's unclear what his motive for the shooting was, according to Acciardo. Authorities are encouraging the public to avoid the area.
Multiple schools and school districts canceled classes on Monday out of an abundance of safety. Here's a list of closed schools:
- Barbourville Independent School
- Clay County Public Schools
- Corbin Independent Schools
- East Bernstadt Independent School
- Jackson County Public Schools
- Knox County Public Schools
- Laurel County Public Schools
- Leslie County Schools
- Lincoln County Public Schools
- Pineville Independent School District
- Red Bird Christian School
- Rockcastle County Schools
- Somerset Community College's Laurel Campus
- Union Commonwealth University (remote)
- Whitley County School District
- Williamsburg Independent School
"I would say to society at large — see something, say something. Make the call and please call in, and a life might be saved by that call," said Williams.
This story is ongoing and we will update you as we learn more.