This story was updated as of 11:42 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2024.
Interstate 75, in Laurel County, was shut down on Saturday, Sept. 7, after multiple people were shot in what is being called an active shooter situation, according to officials.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office identified Joseph A. Couch of Woodbine, Kentucky as a person of interest in the shooting in a post on Facebook.
The manhunt resulted in school closures or virtual instruction on Sept. 9 in Eastern Kentucky, according to LEX18.
- “Barbourville Independent Schools
- Clay County Public Schools
- Corbin Independent Schools
- East Bernstadt Independent Schools
- EKU-Corbin, operating virtually
- EKU-Manchester, operating virtually
- Jackson County Public Schools
- Knox County Public Schools
- Laurel County Public Schools
- Leslie County Schools
- Lincoln County Public Schools
- Pineville Independent School District
- Red Bird Christian School
- Rockcastle County Schools
- Somerset Community College (Laurel Campus)
- Union Commonwealth University, operating virtually/remotely
- Whitley County School District
- Williamsburg Independent Schools,” LEX18 said.
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the interstate was shut down in both directions between Exit 41 and Exit 62. Travelers were told to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.
The shooting took place in Laurel County, 9 miles north of London and 80 miles south of Lexington. Gov. Andy Beshear first posted about the shooting at 6:47 p.m. on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our Office of Homeland Security,” Beshear said. “Together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible. Please pray for everyone involved.”
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post to not approach Couch if seen.
“If you have any information regarding the whereabouts or location on this individual please contact the London-Laurel County 911 Center by calling 911 or 606-878-7000,” the post said.
Kentucky State Police Trooper, Scottie Pennington, said in a post on Facebook that the suspect had not yet been caught as of Sept. 7 and urged people to stay inside.
Five people were shot and two others were injured in the vehicle accident leaving seven people injured in total, according to the Associated Press.
I-75 reopened on the evening of Saturday, Sept. 7, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office facebook.
A silver SUV registered to Couch was recovered in a wooded area off of exit 49 of I-75 Saturday night along with a rifle case.
On the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 8, an AR-15 rifle was recovered “in the vicinity of the car that was recovered” the day before, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said.
The investigation is still ongoing.
This story will be updated as more information is available.
