A manhunt is currently underway for a suspect following a shooting incident that left five individuals injured near an interstate in a rural area of Laurel County, Kentucky, located south of Lexington. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that all five victims are in stable condition, and authorities are actively searching for the shooter.
The shooting occurred near Interstate 75, approximately nine miles north of the city of London. The London Police Department has identified a person of interest, 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, who is considered armed and dangerous. Authorities are urging the public to contact their 911 call center with any information regarding the whereabouts of the individual.
Kentucky State Police have advised the public to stay indoors as the suspect has not been apprehended yet. The interstate was temporarily closed for about three hours due to the active shooting situation, but has since been reopened.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Louisville is assisting local authorities with the ongoing incident near Interstate 75. London Mayor Randall Weddle has urged residents to remain vigilant and cautious while law enforcement continues their search in challenging terrain.
This incident comes shortly after a recent mass shooting in Winder, Georgia, and a separate shooting on an interstate in the Seattle area. Governor Andy Beshear has acknowledged the situation and urged the public to avoid the area while offering support to law enforcement.
London, Kentucky, is approximately 80 miles south of Lexington. Eyewitnesses on the interstate have reported being stopped for over an hour as authorities work to manage the situation. Traffic has been redirected as law enforcement continues their efforts to locate the suspect.
