Figuring fugitive involved in I-75 gunfire incident remains at large for consecutive evening in secluded Kentucky territory, authorities urge public to maintain alertness
The Laurel County Sheriff's Office has pinpointed Joseph A. Couch, 32, as the alleged perpetrator believed to have discharged bullets into 12 vehicles on both the northbound and southbound lanes of the interstate on Saturday. authorities disclosed Sunday evening that they suspect Couch is still hiding in the secluded, heavily forested area near where his AR-15 weapon, ammunition, vehicle, and possibly his phone were discovered.
Kentucky State Police spokesperson Scottie Pennington suggested the community to secure their homes and keep their doors locked at a Sunday night press conference. He encouraged individuals to consistently monitor their security cameras, maintain their porch lights on, and ensure their phones are fully charged in case an emergency arises or they need to contact law enforcement.
Just prior to the shooting, Couch lawfully obtained a firearm and approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition, sheriff's office officials disclosed.
The shooting took place around 5:30 p.m. Saturday, roughly nine miles north of London, Kentucky. The incident seemed to be an act of senseless violence, according to Laurel County Sheriff's Office Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, who spoke to The Associated Press.
No fatalities were reported, Acciardo stated Sunday afternoon, but some of the injuries were severe: One individual was shot in the face, and another sustained gunshot wounds to the chest. Some of the victims were critically hurt but are currently in stable condition, said Acciardo.
The Kentucky State Police is spearheading the manhunt, as revealed by Laurel County Sheriff's Office Captain Richard Dalrymple on Sunday night. The FBI's Louisville office is also searching for information regarding Couch's whereabouts.
The manhunt was halted Sunday night and will resume Monday morning at 8 a.m., according to Laurel County Sheriff John Root.
Safety concerns have prompted more than a dozen school districts and local private schools to suspend classes Monday, including districts in Laurel, Jackson, and Clay Counties.
Authorities portray Couch, of Woodbine, Kentucky, as a White male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighing around 154 pounds. On Sunday afternoon, authorities discovered an AR-15 in a wooded region near the interstate, which they believe was used in the Saturday shooting, according to Acciardo.
Law enforcement has yet to uncover a motive for the attack, Acciardo added. “He was not present in a vehicle. No, there was no road rage involved,” Acciardo informed reporters at an earlier press conference.
Although authorities do not suspect the gunman intentionally targeted specific individuals, the attack seemed to be “planned,” Acciardo said Sunday evening. Couch has a limited criminal history, but has no significant offenses or anything related to the Saturday shooting.
“We aim to apprehend this individual because he has demonstrated that he is capable of such acts,” Acciardo said of the suspect.
Continuation of the Manhunt in Remote Woods
As law enforcement continues to explore the densely wooded, hilly area, Acciardo stated that the suspect “could not have picked a location anything more remote and challenging for us to find him.”
Approximately 40 to 50 officers from federal, state, and local agencies are participating in the search, according to Acciardo.
Law enforcement located a vehicle registered to the suspect on a forest service road off Exit 49 on Saturday, featuring an empty gun case inside. The vehicle was “very close to the interstate, but not close enough that the person of interest could have fired from that location,” Acciardo said.
Authorities suspect he ventured closer to the interstate, which is where they recovered the weapon and believe he may still be in possession of additional firearms. They also found a phone, but the battery had been removed. The fact that Couch left his rifle behind could suggest that he has other weapons, according to Acciardo on Sunday evening.
“At this point, we do not believe he has external assistance,” Acciardo said. Later on, he noted that it’s “extremely probable” that the suspect may be utilizing telecommunications in some way. He stated that the length of time the suspect can survive in the remote woods depends on his level of preparation – which is still unclear to authorities. He added that it was possible that Couch is no longer alive.
Law enforcement has implored residents to remain vigilant, dial 911 if they spot Couch and avoid approaching him.
The search coordinated by the sheriff’s office resumed Sunday morning with the help of multiple law enforcement agencies and a drone featuring infrared heat-sensing technology, police stated.
“It’s laborious and stressful,” Acciardo said of the search. “We’ll just keep on persisting, because that’s what we do.”
“We must look behind every tree, because what if he’s there?” he said.
Officers are expanding the search area as they investigate, Acciardo said.
Authorities plan to suspend the search overnight, but will maintain the area confined before resuming in the morning, Acciardo said Sunday evening. “We must put it on hold in the darkness due to the risk aspect of our officers possibly encountering this individual,” he said. Officers will remain in “strategic positions to observe” overnight.
“It’s entirely possible” Couch has left the area, “but not probable,” said Acciardo, citing information that is not publically available.
The chance of Couch reaching a residence from the woods is “very slim,” he added.
The Laurel County Public School system declared that classes would be canceled on Monday, using the reason of an excess of precaution.
Speaking during the Sunday evening press conference, London Mayor Randall Weddle expressed hope that "people comprehend that this appalling incident, this act of violence, doesn't embody us as a community."
"I'm a living testament to luck," states shooting survivor
What initially started as a family day out, turned into a visit to the emergency room for one of the shooting victims, 28-year-old Rebecca Puryear.
Puryear, her spouse, and their 4-year-old son had spent the day together in Lexington and were en route to their home in Harlan, Kentucky, when they heard gunshots as they approached Exit 49 on I-75.
Puryear described the sound as resembling a tire having exploded, so she asked her husband, who confirmed it was gunshots.
"The next instant, my ears were ringing. I turned to look, and my (passenger-side) window was shattered, with a bullet hole."
Puryear continued driving for another mile and a half before pulling over in a safer location. She confirmed her husband and son were safe before realizing she had been shot.
"I looked down and was just bleeding profusely. I had to stay calm to prevent panicking, which would have caused them to panic too."
They called 911, Puryear said, and Deputy Bobby Roberts from the Laurel County Sheriff's department responded while another ambulance headed towards the scene to assist other victims.
"I began fainting and was losing consciousness, and he told me to get in his patrol car to take me to the hospital."
Puryear explained how a bullet had entered through the passenger-side window, pierced her right arm, and exited through her left arm. She was discharged from the hospital later Saturday night but would need surgery.
"We're fortunate that I'm still alive. I'm a living miracle," Puryear told CNN. "It still feels surreal, even though I'm sitting here with gaping wounds."
A terrified account
One woman driving on Interstate 75 with her friend recounted witnessing the shooting.
"We were just driving, and all of a sudden, it felt like a rock went through my back window, and it hurt my ear," Christina DiNoto said.
It wasn't until approximately an hour and a half later DiNoto and her friend learned about the shooting and saw what seemed to be paint scrapes on the back of her car.
"My hands are still trembling," said DiNoto, who expressed gratitude for her luck.
After the shooting incident, the community was advised to take precautions by securing their homes, keeping doors locked, consistently monitoring security cameras, maintaining porch lights on, and ensuring their phones are fully charged. (US: community)
During the manhunt for the suspect, authorities discovered an AR-15 weapon and ammunition near the interstate, suggesting that Couch may still be in the area with additional firearms. (US: authorities)
