Current:Home > NewsManhunt continues for Joseph Couch, Kentucky man accused of I-75 shooting rampage -Secure Growth Solutions
Manhunt continues for Joseph Couch, Kentucky man accused of I-75 shooting rampage
View
Date:2025-04-15 02:15:27
A manhunt continued on Tuesday for Joseph Couch, the Kentucky man suspected of opening fire on vehicles on Interstate 75 and injuring five people. Multiple counties in the area hunkered down and schools remained closed amid warnings from officials to keep watch for the suspect on the loose.
Authorities believe Couch is contained to a wooded area near Interstate 75, where a line of at least a dozen vehicles riddled with bullet holes was found on Saturday evening. They are combing areas in nearby Daniel Boone National Forest.
Law enforcement aims to "apply steady pressure at wearing Mr. Couch down," Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington said at a news conference on Monday. "Hopefully he has no water and nothing to eat."
Authorities have deployed helicopters and drones to circle the area, and trained canines to search the woods, Pennington said. "Hopefully, he will basically just walk out of the woods and give himself up."
A picture posted to Pennington's Facebook page showing an aerial view of a wide wooded area around the highway "provides a snap shot of the vast area we have to cover," Pennington wrote. Pennington said troopers are searching a "jungle" environment, using machetes to cut through vegetation.
Local schools stay closed
Schools in nearby Laurel County, Kentucky, remained closed for a second day on Tuesday "out of an abundance of caution," Laurel County Public Schools announced. London Mayor Randall Weddle urged residents of the town of around 7,500 to stay calm and "stand together." London is around 140 miles southeast of Louisville.
"While one person's actions may seek to instill fear, they will not alter our spirit," he wrote on Facebook on Tuesday morning. "Together, we will heal, rebuild, and emerge stronger than ever."
Couch, a 32-year-old former member of the Army Reserves, is charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault. He will likely face more charges for damage to other vehicles and running from authorities, Laurel County felony prosecutor Jackie Steele told the Louisville Courier Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
More:Suspect said he planned to 'kill a lot of people' before I-75 shooting
Couch told the mother of his child in a text message the evening of the shooting that he planned to "kill a lot of people" and to kill himself afterwards, according to an affidavit released by the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. Officials interviewed the woman at around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Officials are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to Couch's arrest, including $5,000 contributed by Kentucky State Police and $10,000 from an anonymous donor, according to Weddle. Judy Nicholson, the executive director of United Way of Laurel County, announced on Facebook on Tuesday morning that the nonprofit is contributing an additional $10,000.
Deputies on Saturday evening recovered an AR-15 rifle and hundreds of rounds of ammunition inside a silver Honda SUV abandoned near Exit 49 of the highway. An employee from Center Target Firearms in London confirmed to authorities that Couch purchased the gun and ammunition from the store the morning of the shooting, according to the affidavit.
Kentucky State Police are leading the search, while local deputies are handling the criminal investigation. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are also involved, according to Pennington.
Although some of the injured were "severely" wounded, all are expected to recover, according to Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office.
Cybele Mayes-Osterman is a breaking news reporter for USA Today. Reach her on email at [email protected]. Follow her on X @CybeleMO.
veryGood! (2757)
Related
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Golf analyst Brandel Chamblee says Jon Rahm’s Olympic collapse one of year's biggest 'chokes'
- Joe Rogan ribs COVID-19 vaccines, LGBTQ community in Netflix special 'Burn the Boats'
- National White Wine Day: Cute Wine Glasses & More To Celebrate
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Pope Francis’ close ally, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, retires as archbishop of Boston at age 80
- Alabama man on work trip stops to buy $3 quick pick Powerball ticket, wins 6-figure jackpot
- National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day is Sunday. Here's how to get a free cookie.
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- U.S. women cap off Paris Olympic swimming with world-record gold in medley relay
Ranking
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Washington attorney general and sheriff who helped nab Green River Killer fight for governor’s seat
- MLB power rankings: Losers of 20 in a row, White Sox push for worst record ever
- Liz Taylor speaks from beyond the grave in 'Lost Tapes' documentary
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes make rare public appearance together at Paris Olympics
- Competing for two: Pregnant Olympians push the boundaries of possibility in Paris
- Michigan toddler recovering after shooting himself at babysitter’s house, police say
Recommendation
Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
Why RHONJ’s Season 14 Last Supper Proves the Current Cast Is Done for Good
Christine Lakin thinks satirical video of Candace Cameron Bure's brother got her fired from 'Fuller House'
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Cat Righting Reflex
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Debby downgraded to tropical storm after landfall along Florida coast: Live updates
Why Team USA hurdler Freddie Crittenden jogged through a preliminary heat at the Olympics
When does Simone Biles compete today? Paris Olympics gymnastics schedule for Monday