$35K reward for info about Kentucky I-75 shooting suspect as search closes on fourth day
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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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The total reward for information that leads to the arrest of a man accused of opening fire on drivers along I-75 in Southern Kentucky this past weekend is now $35,000.
Joseph A. Couch, 32, disappeared into the woods in north Laurel County after opening fire on vehicles on the interstate, authorities say. Twelve vehicles were hit, and five people were injured in the shooting.
Local, state and federal officers have been searching for Couch with drones, helicopters, police dogs and on foot since then. But the rugged terrain, including cliffs, sinkholes, caves and thick brush has slowed the search at a site covering thousands of acres.
Still, Master Trooper Scottie Pennington, of the Kentucky State Police, said the search continues.
“Whether he’s dead or alive, our job is to find him,” Pennington said at a news conference Tuesday. “We’ve got to consider him armed and dangerous until we locate him.”
Police said Couch texted a woman before the shooting, saying he was going to try to kill a lot of people and then kill himself. However, police can’t assume he is dead, so they have to keep looking for him.
Pennington said Tuesday that police have not received any evidence that Couch has left the rugged terrain near the shooting site, despite checking numerous tips in Kentucky and elsewhere that he might have left.
Authorities have added more helicopters and drones to the search, making it possible to cover more ground.
There is thick leaf cover right now, but helicopters being used at night have infrared technology to see heat sources on the ground, Pennington said.
Asked on Tuesday about the chances that Couch might be dead somewhere in the forest — and whether it would be easier to find him if he was — Pennington said, “Nature takes care of itself.” He added that buzzards would become a factor if Couch is dead.
Authorities have said they think Couch acted alone in his attack, but the reward for information that leads to his arrest has steadily increased over the past few days.
Of the total reward, $15,000 of the reward is from Crime Stoppers; $10,000 is being offered from the United Way of Laurel County; and another $10,000 is being offered from an anonymous donor.
Police found Couch’s car and the AR-15 they think he used in the shooting, but they’ve said they don’t know if he is hiding with more guns.
Searchers have to move at a snail’s pace because of the terrain, the need to collect evidence — a candy wrapper could be a clue, for instance — and the need to make sure officers are safe, Pennington said.
“You oughta see’m when they come in” from the woods, Pennington said. “They’re wringing wet.”
Authorities continued to urge residents in the area to be vigilant, and the U.S. Forest Service on Tuesday announced it had closed several sections of the popular Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail in the area.
The agency closed the trail between U.S. 421 and KY 192.
The London Police Department also announced that “in keeping with the safety of our community,” a 9/11 memorial motorcade scheduled for Wednesday had been canceled.
“Though the day will still be on our minds, all our manpower continues to be needed elsewhere,” Officer Hobie Daugherty said in a release.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a statement Tuesday: “This is a scary time for many in the community, and law enforcement are working quickly while prioritizing safety.”
Couch has been charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault.
All victims have been listed as stable. Police identified the shooting victims on Monday as Rebecca Puryear, Renee Walker, Erick Tabin, Norma Liberia and Janet Booth.
This story was originally published September 10, 2024 at 3:40 PM.
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