4 victims released from hospital after I-75 shooting in Kentucky

Four of the five people shot on Interstate 75 Saturday evening have been released from the hospital, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Thursday.

All five are expected to recover.

Beshear announced the update during a visit Thursday morning to Laurel County, where authorities are on day five of a manhunt for a man suspected of opening fire on vehicles traveling on a busy stretch of I-75, about nine miles north of London.

The suspect, 32-year-old Joseph Couch, is suspected of fleeing into the woods of north Laurel County after firing at cars from a ledge overlooking the interstate. Twelve cars were hit, but no fatalities were reported.

Local, state and federal officers have been searching for Couch with drones, helicopters, police dogs and on foot. But the rugged terrain, including cliffs, sinkholes, caves and thick brush has slowed the search at a site covering thousands of acres.

Authorities have so far found Couch’s car and the AR-15 they think he used in the shooting.

Couch has been charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault.

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 12, 2024 at 9:48 AM.

Taylor Six

Lexington Herald-Leader

Taylor Six is the criminal justice reporter at the Herald-Leader. She was born and raised in Lexington attending Lafayette High School. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in 2018 with a degree in journalism. She previously worked as the government reporter for the Richmond Register.