A manhunt enters its second day in Kentucky after several people were shot at on a highway near the city of London on Saturday. Authorities believe the shooter is hiding in an extremely remote and rugged area about 9 miles (14 kilometers) from London in southern Kentucky. The police named 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, of Woodbine, Kentucky, a person of interest, and warned that he’s armed and dangerous.
Kentucky Highway
Manhunt Underway After Multiple Vehicles Shot At on Kentucky Highway
The shooting spree began about 5:30 p.m. local time (9:30 p.m. GMT), when police responded to a report of shots that had been fired along Interstate 75. Shots had been fired into nine vehicles going both north and south, forcing I-75 to be shut for several hours out of concern for the safety of motorists.
Five were shot, with some suffering “very serious” injuries, including one individual who was shot in the face. All are reported to be stable as of Sunday morning. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the ground search, and drones are being used in the manhunt.
The search is moving slowly in the woods, which are so dense in the area. “That’s probably one of the most remote exits on I-75,” Deputy Gilbert Acciardo of the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said during a Sunday briefing. “It’s a big task. We want to get him before it gets dark again.”
The attack has caused a mass reaction from law enforcement, with the area now at risk. Shooting started very early in the morning when drivers near Lexington reported hearing gunshots. At least six vehicles received bullet hits, but no life loss has been recorded due to the incident. Several people have emerged with minor injuries from broken glass and other debris; their treatment is being guaranteed by the authorities.
The Kentucky State Police and local agencies have launched an all-out search for the suspect or suspects. The lack of details as of now is due to investigators sorting through the evidence and interviewing witnesses, but eyewitnesses described the suspect vehicle as a dark-coloured sedan.
Multiple Vehicles Shot at on Kentucky Highway During Manhunt
“We are addressing it with the greatest haste,” said State Police Lieutenant Mark Reynolds. “Our objective is to identify those responsible and ensure the safety of all travelers. We are using all means available to bring them to justice.”
The police have installed checkpoints along the highway and are patrolling actively in the surrounding areas. Officers are going through the footage shot by nearby business enterprises and making house-to-house inquiries. The people are being told to be alert and raise suspicion about anything unusual happening.
The highway shootings have occasioned much traffic congestion. Parts of I-75 have been closed due to police investigating cases, causing delays and congestion. Drivers are advised to take alternative routes while local news and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet updates are doing rounds on traffic.
The community is in shock; several are concerned about security as they move around. There have been calls by local officials for calm and reassurance of residents to be done to resolve the situation. “We understand that this has caused such anxiety, and we’re committed to restoring normalcy and ensuring the safety of all our citizens,” said Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton.
Since the shootings, it has been a call for better security on highways and coordination of law enforcers. Now, activists would be calling for increased surveillance and quicker reaction mechanisms meant to prevent such tragedies in the future.
And as the investigation is ongoing, authorities request that individuals with information on the shootings and the suspect vehicle come forward. A tip line has been established, and a reward is given for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.
At the moment, the community is still on edge as it waits to hear news of the manhunt process. It comes down to a capture and accountability for the suspects, even as the concern towards public roads is being brought on board.
Stay connected with fact and us for more such news.