White House weighs in on I-75 shootings, urges Kentucky residents to ‘remain vigilant’
.JPG "White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)")
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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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As the search for the Kentucky man charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting into cars on Interstate 75 this weekend continues, White House officials urged Southern Kentucky residents to stay aware.
Joseph A. Couch, 32, has been charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault for allegedly shooting into cars on Interstate 75 Sunday, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele, the felony prosecutor for Laurel County. Five people were seriously injured as a result.
As of Monday afternoon, Couch had not yet been located, and the search continued as authorities covered the rugged, wooded terrain in Laurel County. The shootings occurred about 75 miles south of Lexington, on one of the nation’s busiest north-south interstates.
“We are praying for those who were injured and wishing them a speedy recovery,” President Joseph Biden’s Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a White House press briefing on Monday. “The president was briefed over the weekend and he urges residents to remain vigilant and listen to local officials.”
Police said Couch is believed to have shot into 12 cars on I-75 at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday from a vantage point on a ledge hillside overlooking the busy interstate in northern Laurel County. Shortly before the shootings occurred, Couch texted his ex-wife, saying “I’m going to kill a lot of people,” according to affidavits released Monday. Couch’s ex-wife then contacted police.
Four of the victims were transported to a hospital, while the fifth victim transported themselves to a hospital for treatment, according to the affidavit. State, local and federal authorities are all involved in the search, Kentucky State Police said Monday.
“The administration is in touch with local officials and federal law enforcement is supporting the local investigation and efforts to apprehend the suspects,” Jean-Pierre said.
Police have not released information on the motive for the shootings, and said they do not believe Couch was targeting specific people. They have 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.
From the Senate floor on Monday, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said he and his office were in contact with law enforcement as the search for Couch continues, and said he was grateful for their “swift efforts to protect the surrounding communities.”
“We’re holding those who were injured in this senseless violence in our prayers,” McConnell said.
Reporter David Catanese contributed to this story.
This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 4:03 PM.
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