Kentucky I-75 shooting: Suspect charged with attempted murder, first-degree assault
These are updates from Monday, Sept. 9.
Law enforcement continue to search for suspect Joseph Couch in connection with a Saturday shooting on Interstate 75 in London, Kentucky, that left five people injured.
On Sunday, officials confirmed Couch had military experience and that he purchased a gun and ammunition Saturday morning, prior to the shooting.
Officials say they found the gun and Couch's car in the vicinity of the shooting and believe he is contained to a wooded area near the interstate.
4:45 p.m. update: Suspect said he planned to 'kill a lot of people'
Couch said he was planning to "kill a lot of people" less than an hour before the incident, according to an affidavit released by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office.
In a text message sent at 5:03 p.m. Saturday, Couch told a woman, who shares a child with him, that he planned to kill himself afterwards.
After receiving the message, the woman contacted law enforcement and was interviewed at approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday.
Local, state and federal authorities are continuing to search for Couch in Daniel Boone National Forest, near where the shooting took place.
Police also made contact with a London-based gun store, Center Target Firearms, where an employee confirmed Couch bought an AR-15 and 1,000 rounds of ammunition, according to the affidavit. Officials say Couch, who was part of the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged, made the purchase Saturday morning, prior to the shooting.
According to the affidavit, that firearm fits the description of the one police found abandoned Sunday afternoon in the wooded area near Exit 49 of I-75. Couch's car was located at approximately 7:55 p.m. Saturday night.
Couch faces charges of five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault. The charges were filed by Commonwealth's Attorney Jackie Steele, the felony prosecutor for Laurel County.
Steele told the Courier Journal he expects Couch to later face additional charges, potentially related to other vehicle owners who have suspected damage from the shooting, as well as Couch's continued evading of police.
3:30 p.m. update: KSP search continues, authorities say Couch was honorably discharged from Army Reserve
KSP Public Affairs Officer Scottie Pennington said in a Monday afternoon media briefing that first responders continue to search for Couch and hope to draw him out by applying pressure.
Pennington said outside agencies like the FBI and special response teams have helped in the search, along with technology like drones and helicopters. While officials are utilizing many available resources, Pennington emphasized the dangers of the terrain compared to a typical search.
“We are in the Daniel Boone National Forest, and this is thousands and thousands of acres,” he said.
Pennington said Couch was not in the National Guard, as previously stated, but was honorably discharged from the Army Reserve.
The Laurel County Sheriff's Office confirmed shooting victims were from the commonwealth and other states.
2 p.m. update: Suspect faces charges in shooting
Couch faces charges of five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault, London Mayor Randall Weddle confirmed to The Courier Journal on Monday. The charges were filed by Commonwealth's Attorney Jackie Steele, the felony prosecutor for Laurel County. The Courier Journal has reached out to Steele for comment.
Weddle also said a anonymous person offered a $10,000 reward for anyone who has information that would lead to Couch's arrest. The offer is separate from one Kentucky State Police made Monday afternoon.
1 p.m. update: KSP offering $5,000 reward in search for suspect
Kentucky State Police is offering a $5,000 reward for information that would help authorities locate and arrest Couch.
Couch, 32, is said to be 5-foot-10 and weighs 154 pounds. He is considered to be armed and dangerous and should not be approached, officials say.
11:45 a.m. update: KSP to host media briefing
Kentucky State Police will hold a news conference at the Laurel County Sheriff's Office at 3 p.m. Monday for "an update on the Laurel County search effort for suspect Joseph Couch," KDP wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter.
10:15 a.m. update: London shooting victims in 'good condition'
University of Kentucky's Public Relations staff confirmed that two victims injured in the I-75 shooting are being treated at Albert B. Chandler Hospital and are both in "good condition."
Mary Branham, Market Director with CHI Saint Joseph Health, also released a statement Monday morning in regards to the shooting.
"We did receive several patients who were treated and released at Saint Joseph London," Branham said.
9:30 a.m. update: Schools in and around Laurel County cancel classes
Laurel County Public Schools announced a closure for Monday at around 6 p.m. Sunday, with many surrounding schools following suit. Other schools that canceled classes include:
Kentucky State Police takes over search in London shooting
Authorities announced Sunday night that Kentucky State Police had taken over the search for Couch, while the Laurel County Sheriff's Office handles the criminal investigation.
Couch, the man wanted in connection with the shooting, purchased a gun and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition Saturday morning, officials said late Sunday.
"He obtained a firearm at a local place here in London," Laurel County Sheriff John Root said, adding it was a legal purchase.
Couch is from the Knox County area, Laurel County Sheriff's Captain Richard Dalrymple said.
Who is Joseph Couch?
Couch, 32, was initially identified as a person of interest in the shooting but was later elevated to a suspect. He's described as a white male, 5-foot-10, weighing approximately 154 pounds. He is considered armed and dangerous, and authorities are advising people to not approach him.
Gilbert Acciardo, spokesperson for Laurel County Sheriff's Department, said Sunday morning there wasn't enough information to consider Couch a suspect. But by Sunday afternoon, he became one.
Couch resides south of Laurel County in Whitley County, Acciardo said.
Officials said they have searched Couch's house and his family is cooperating with the investigation.
Where is London, Kentucky?
The shooting incident broke out near London, a city in Laurel County.
The rural county sits in the southeast portion of the state and has a population of roughly 63,000, according to a 2020 Census estimate. Part of the Daniel Boone National Forest lies inside county limits.
It's about 90 miles south of Lexington and 154 miles southeast of Louisville.
At the crossroads of I-75 and Highway 80, Laurel County is primed for economic development and growth, according to the London-Laurel Economic Development Authority. The county is home to 17 manufacturers, 12 distribution warehouses and five food production sites.
What happened on I-75 in London, Kentucky?
Five people were injured in the shooting on I-75, and all are expected to survive.
A dozen vehicles were hit in the shooting, including cars traveling in both directions along I-75, officials said.
Laurel County officials first announced the closure of I-75 on social media around 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The highway remained deadlocked until it was reopened around 9:30 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky shooting updates: Manhunt continues for suspect Joseph Couch