‘I’m going to kill a lot of people.’ I-75 shooting suspect sent texts before attack
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Interstate 75 shooting
Several people were injured Saturday evening in shootings along Interstate 75 in Southern Kentucky near London in Laurel County
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Shortly before opening fire on unsuspecting travelers on Interstate 75, Joseph Couch sent a chilling text to a woman pledging, “I’m going to kill a lot of people.”
He added, “Well (I’m going to) try at least.”
Couch sent a follow-up text: “I’ll kill myself afterwards...”
The stunning details emerged Monday in affidavits released by authorities connected to criminal charges slapped on the 32-year-old man. The documents were reviewed by the Herald-Leader.
Couch was charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault, according to state attorney Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele, the felony prosecutor for Laurel County.
The shootings occurred about 75 miles south of Lexington on one of the nation’s busiest north-south interstates just before 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
According to the affidavit, Couch sent the texts to a woman named Sara Mills at 5:03 p.m. The affidavit did not disclose Mills’ relationship to Couch, but state court records identify her as a woman with whom he has a child.
The murder and assault charges are based on the injuries and attacks on the same five people.
Police also could charge Couch with wanton endangerment and criminal mischief for shooting into other cars where people were not hurt.
Mills contacted police after receiving the text messages.
Police tracked Couch’s cell phone to a location within 2,500 meters of the cellular tower at the scene of the shooting at 6:53 p.m. Saturday.
Police have not released information on the motive for the shootings, but officers recovered his vehicle and the AR-15 assault-style rifle they say likely was used in the shooting.
Police have been searching for Couch in the heavily wooded area near the interstate since Saturday evening. The intensive search started again around sunrise Monday.
Authorities said they do not think Couch, of rural Knox County, targeted specific people in the shootings.
This story will be updated.
This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 1:39 PM.
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