Manhunt in Kentucky’s wilderness for armed suspect Joseph Couch

Thousands of acres of wilderness, sinkholes, and the possibility of encountering an armed suspect are among the challenges faced by law enforcement officers in the search for Joseph Couch.

Couch is suspected of firing an AR-15 from a cliff ledge along the interstate, about nine miles north of London, Kentucky, striking 12 cars and injuring five people on Saturday.

The search, described as “kind of like a jungle” by Kentucky State Police spokesperson Scottie Pennington, involves navigating cliffs, sinkholes, caves, culverts, creeks, and rivers in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Drones, helicopters, search dogs, and crews from federal, state, and local agencies are participating in the nearly 72-hour manhunt, focusing on the densely wooded area where Couch’s semi-automatic rifle, ammunition, car, and phone were found.

“Our main focus is to remain in those woods until we find him,” Pennington said on Tuesday. Officers have had to use machetes to cut through dense brush. Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Gilbert Acciardo noted that Couch chose a particularly remote and challenging area for law enforcement to search.

The Daniel Boone National Forest encompasses 708,000 acres of rugged terrain, including steep slopes, sandstone cliffs, and narrow ravines. The search extended to Couch’s home, where unspecified evidence was collected, according to Laurel County Sheriff John Root.

Authorities have received tips leading them to investigate locations outside the forest, but none have yielded results. Craig Caudill, a wilderness education expert, mentioned that Couch might encounter black bears and venomous snakes.

Search efforts mostly cease after sunset due to increased danger, although some officers camp overnight and helicopters search for heat sources. Pennington stated that more helicopters have joined the search.

Caudill, who trains law enforcement, said Couch will eventually be found and noted the slow, methodical pace required to preserve evidence. The suspect may still be armed and dangerous, posing a significant threat to officers.

Josh Campbell, a security correspondent and former FBI agent, highlighted the logistical and safety challenges faced by officers in the dense forest. They must move slowly to preserve evidence and ensure their safety.

Authorities are also dealing with the exhausting nature of the search, swapping out teams to rest. Couch’s threatening text message before the shooting suggests he might no longer be alive.

The warrant charges Couch with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault. As the search continues, law enforcement hopes to “wear down” Couch, who may be without food or water.

Caudill estimated Couch could survive a couple of weeks but would soon face impaired decision-making due to dehydration.

Law enforcement officials aim to apply steady pressure, hoping Couch will eventually surrender.

ORIGINAL STORY: Man upgraded to suspect in Kentucky freeway shooting

Authorities in Kentucky have now identified Joseph A. Couch as a suspect in a freeway shooting that injured seven people and damaged nine vehicles. The incident took place on Interstate 75, north of London, Kentucky, on Saturday evening. Couch is believed to be armed and dangerous and remains at large, prompting an extensive search effort involving local law enforcement and federal agencies. An AR-15 rifle and Couch’s abandoned vehicle were recovered near the scene, and authorities suggest the shooting was a random act, with no connection between the shooter and the victims.

The shooting caused serious injuries, including one person shot in the face, though none of the injuries were life-threatening. Initial reports of road rage were dismissed by the authorities. Over 100 calls have been made by people reporting possible sightings of Couch, who is thought to be hiding in the nearby woods. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation. Interstate 75 was closed for three hours after the incident.

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