Kentucky schools close as manhunt for shooting suspect continues

Classes across central Kentucky were cancelled on Monday, with residents advised to stay vigilant as the search for a shooting suspect entered its third day.

Joseph Couch, 32, has evaded capture since Saturday afternoon. Authorities say he fired an AR-15 from a cliff ledge along I-75, about nine miles north of London, Kentucky, hitting 12 cars and injuring five people.

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo from the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office described the attack as a “random act” of violence, though the motive remains unclear.

The search, led by the Kentucky State Police, paused overnight and resumed after 8 a.m. on Monday, according to Sheriff John Root. Couch may still be armed and hiding in the dense woods where his AR-15, ammunition, car, and possibly his phone were discovered. Just hours before the shooting, Couch legally bought a firearm and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME! 😡

The suspect in the I-75 shooting in Laurel County, KY is 32yr old Joseph A. Couch who reportedly purchased an AR-15 this morning along with 2,000 rounds of ammunition. He was on bail for making terrorists threats

I repeat: ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING… pic.twitter.com/m3DK26nbGi

— WTFGOP (@DogginTrump) September 8, 2024

Captain Richard Dalrymple from the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office mentioned the possibility that Couch might have taken his own life in the wilderness. Search efforts involve helicopters, drones, K-9 teams, and ground crews combing through thousands of acres of mountainous terrain. In some areas, they are using machetes to cut through dense brush, according to State Police spokesperson Scottie Pennington.

Authorities are urging the community to remain cautious and secure their homes until Couch is found. Pennington advised residents to keep doors locked, monitor security cameras, keep porch lights on, and ensure mobile phones are charged for potential emergency contacts.

Safety concerns led to the cancellation of classes in more than a dozen school districts, including those in Laurel, Jackson, and Clay Counties. London Mayor Randall Weddle confirmed communication with local school superintendents, emphasizing the priority of student safety.

None of the victims from Saturday’s shooting were killed, although some suffered severe injuries, including one shot in the face and another in the chest. Others were critically hurt but stable by Sunday, according to Deputy Acciardo.

Couch, a National Guard veteran, has a minimal criminal record in Kentucky. Earlier this year, a terroristic threatening charge against him was dismissed, said Commonwealth Attorney Jackie Steele. No further details were provided.

Authorities searched Couch’s house on Sunday evening, hoping to gain insights from electronic devices found inside, Dalrymple noted. Sheriff Root urged Couch to surrender, stating, “We’re not going to quit until we do lay hands on him.”

More than 150 personnel from federal, state, and local agencies are involved in the search, although only 40 to 50 are on the ground, Root estimated. The search area is challenging, likened to a jungle, requiring a slow and thorough approach to ensure no stone is left unturned, as described by Pennington.

Acciardo mentioned that while Couch did not seem to target specific individuals, the attack appeared planned. He also noted that Couch likely has no outside assistance but may be using telecommunications.

The duration Couch can survive in the wilderness depends on his preparedness, which remains unclear. Investigators found a vehicle registered to Couch with an empty gun case inside, near a forest service road off Exit 49. The vehicle was close to the interstate but not within firing range. Authorities believe Couch walked to a cliff along the interstate and fired from a ledge about 30 feet down. They later recovered the AR-15 and a phone with the battery removed near the site.