Police are actively searching the wooded area near Interstate 75, just north of London, Kentucky, following a highway shooting that occurred around 6 p.m. near exit 49. Authorities confirmed that multiple individuals were shot during the incident, sparking a large-scale manhunt on Saturday evening.
The police have identified 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch as a person of interest in the case. Couch is considered armed and dangerous, and authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant. He is described as a White male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing around 154 pounds.
Officials are requesting anyone with information regarding Couch’s whereabouts to immediately contact the London-Laurel County 911 Center by calling either 911 or 606-878-7000. The London Police Department has also emphasized that Couch should not be approached under any circumstances due to the potential danger he poses.
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In a recent update, London Mayor Randall Weddle revealed that seven people were injured in the highway shooting, though not all the injuries resulted from gunfire. “Some of the injuries were caused by an accident,” Weddle clarified, while confirming that no fatalities have been reported so far.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office announced that the highway has been shut down near exit 49, approximately nine miles north of London.
Initial reports suggested that the suspect had been firing at passing vehicles from either an overpass or a nearby wooded area, according to several media outlets.
London, a small city located about 80 miles south of Lexington, Kentucky, has a population of roughly 7,600 residents.
As the situation unfolds, police officers are working closely with medical personnel, escorting ambulances in and out of the affected area to transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Additionally, a police helicopter has been made available to assist with the ongoing response
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Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear urged the public to steer clear of the area following the shooting incident on I-75 in Laurel County. “Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County,” Beshear stated. “Law enforcement has closed the interstate in both directions at exit 49. Please avoid the area. We will share more details as they become available.”
The governor confirmed that he was in constant communication with the Kentucky State Police and the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security. “Together, we are actively monitoring the situation and offering any support needed. Please keep everyone involved in your prayers,” he added in a statement.
According to TV5s 56, the highway closure extends between exits 41 and 59, based on information from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
Mayor Randall Weddle also provided updates, confirming that all first responders at the scene are safe. He noted that both Governor Beshear’s office and the White House had reached out to offer assistance. “Please keep our first responders in your prayers,” Weddle urged the public.
“The terrain in that area is rugged, with a lot of dense treeline,” Mayor Randall Weddle remarked, referring to the ongoing search for the suspect. He advised local residents to remain “vigilant” while the manhunt for Joseph A. Couch continues. “I’m not asking anyone to panic—there’s no immediate threat to the city—but we do ask that everyone stays cautious and safe,” Weddle emphasized.
He also praised the collaborative efforts of surrounding communities and agencies in responding to the crisis. “This situation really highlights what an amazing state and community we live in,” he said. “So many residents have come forward, asking, ‘What can we do to help?'”
