 "Several people shot near Kentucky's Interstate 75. Representative / Unsplash")
The authorities in Kentucky are on the hunt for an active shooter who shot multiple people near an interstate highway. The Laurel County Sheriff’s office said that the incident took place on Saturday and the police blocked the Interstate 75 which is nine miles north of the small city of London.
In the latest update on the incident, the Sheriff’s office called the attack “an active shooter situation.” “I-75 is closed at mile marker/Exit 49, and U.S. 25, nine miles north of London due to an active shooter situation. Numerous persons have been shot near I-75,” the office said in a Facebook post.
Meanwhile, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has been briefed on the matter and he assured that the authorities are actively monitoring the situation. “I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our Office of Homeland Security — together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible. Please pray for everyone involved,” the Kentucky governor wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Who is the prime suspect?
According to NBC News, agents with the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were responding to assist state police and local authorities in hunting down the active shooter in the region. Officials are now urging people to avoid the area. The highway is closed between exits 41 and 59, FOX 5 reported, citing the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
In a recent update on the situation, the London Police Department has identified 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch as a person of interest and the main suspect in the case. Couch is considered “armed and dangerous” and is described as a White man, roughly 5 foot, 10 inches, weighing about 154 pounds by the police.
“The Suspect has not been caught at this time we are urging people to stay inside!! We will try our best to get you as much information as it becomes available!!” Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington wrote in a Facebook post.
With inputs from agencies.