What we know about the shootings on I-75 in Kentucky

Several people were injured Saturday evening in shootings along Interstate 75 in Southern Kentucky near London in Laurel County. A large search continues as of Monday afternoon as authorities from multiple agencies seek the alleged shooter.

Here’s what we know about the shootings as of 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19:

What we know about the I-75 shootings and search

• Five people were shot while driving along I-75 Saturday evening. The shootings happened around 5:30 p.m., and all victims have been listed as stable. The shooter fired from a ledge on a cliff overlooking the interstate.
• In all, 12 cars were shot into near exit 49, about eight miles north of London. Victims were traveling in both the north- and southbound lanes of I-75.
• A person of interest was identified as 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, and he remains at-large. He is considered armed and dangerous, and authorities urge you to call 911 if you see him. Police are searching for him in the wooded areas of north Laurel County.
• Police found Couch’s vehicle Saturday night, establishing him as a person of interest, and on Sunday afternoon they found his AR-15 along a separate stretch of interstate. They also found a phone that they believed belonged to him, but the battery had been removed
• Couch bought the AR-15 and 1,000 rounds of ammo the morning of the shootings, police said.
• Couch has previous military experience, serving at least four years in the U.S. Army Reserves. It was originally believed he had served in the Army National Guard..
• Police think the attack was planned and that the shooter intentionally fired from near a heavily wooded part of I-75.
• Police have not released information on the motive for the shootings. Authorities said they do not think Couch, of rural Knox County, targeted specific people in the shootings.
• On Monday morning, Couch was charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault.

• At least nine Kentucky school districts and a community college campus closed Monday as police continued the search for Couch.

• Before allegedly opening fire on unsuspecting travelers on Interstate 75, Couch sent a chilling text to a woman pledging, “I’m going to kill a lot of people.” She contact police.

• Police believe Couch acted alone, and are continuing to look for evidence in the search.

• The search for Couch is focused in the Daniel Boone National Forest, a densely forested area of the state. The terrain of the area has presented challenges in the search, as it also contains many caves and rocky areas.

• Police identified the shooting victims on Monday as Rebecca Puryear, Renee Walker, Erick Tabin, Norma Liberia and Janet Booth. All are expected to recover.

• Couch was arrested by Kentucky State Police earlier this year and charged with third-degree terroristic threatening. Public records reviewed by the Herald-Leader show Couch’s arrest record.

• The reward for information leading to the arrest of Couch currently totals $35,000.

• On Sept. 17, police said they are retreating from the woods of north Laurel County and “reallocating resources” in the manhunt for Couch.

• On Sept. 18, Couch’s body was discovered in the woods of Laurel County where he’s suspected of firing at drivers on the interstate.Police said the items found on the body indicate it’s Couch, and a full identification will be confirmed Thursday.

• The body was found by Fred and Shelia McCoy, who livestreamed their search for Couch on YouTube.

This story was originally published September 8, 2024 at 8:23 AM.

AV

Alex Valentine

Lexington Herald-Leader

Alex Valentine is the managing editor of the Herald-Leader. He is a Pendleton County native.

Karla Ward

Lexington Herald-Leader

859-379-5361

Karla Ward is a native of Logan County who has worked as a reporter at the Herald-Leader since 2000. She covers breaking news. Support my work with a digital subscription