No deaths, five injured: What we know about the Kentucky I-75 shooting victims

A gunman injured five people Saturday after firing into cars driving on Interstate-75 in Laurel County in Southern Kentucky.

The suspect, Joseph Couch, 32, is still on the run as of Monday afternoon.

In total, 12 cars were struck by bullets, but no one has died from the attack.

All five victims are said to be in stable condition.

Police identified the victims on Monday as Rebecca Puryear, Renee Walker, Erick Tabin, Norma Liberia and Janet Booth.

Here’s what we know about them.

Rebecca Puryear

Only one victim of the shooting is from Kentucky.

Harlan County native Rebecca Puyear, 28, was shot in her right arm. The bullet continued across her chest before it burst into pieces, injuring her left arm.

She was released from the hospital Saturday night, but will have surgery at a later date.

“This man was out to kill, and he almost did,” Puryear told the Herald-Leader.

Also in the car with her was her husband, Chris, and their 4-year-old son, Christian. Neither Chris nor Christian were shot, but they were scratched by pieces of broken glass..

Puryear told the Herald-Leader that her family was driving home after eating at Olive Garden when the shooting happened.

Renee Walker and Erick Tabin

Renee Walker and Erick Tabin are a married couple from Fort Myers, Fla., who were both injured in the shooting.

According to Florida news station WBBH, Walker is out of the hospital, but Tabin is still recovering.

Walker is a co-owner of Studio RK, a beauty salon in Fort Myers. Tabin’s Facebook said he works as an electrician.

An affidavit supporting an arrest warrant for Couch’s arrest spelled Tabin’s last name as “Tavin.”

Norma Liberia and Janet Booth

More information was not immediately available about Norma Liberia and Janet Booth.

This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 4:42 PM.

Kendall Staton

Lexington Herald-Leader

Kendall Staton is the City/County Reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader. She also helps with general news coverage, and previously covered UK HealthCare. She worked as the regional editor of three community newspapers in Central Kentucky before joining the Herald-Leader. She is a Greenup County native and 2023 University of Kentucky graduate. She first joined the Herald-Leader in April 2024. Support my work with a digital subscription