On Saturday, a shooting incident near a highway north of London, Kentucky, left multiple people injured and a suspect still at large. Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene around 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, where they discovered that nine vehicles had been shot and five individuals had sustained serious injuries. The severity of the situation prompted an immediate response from local law enforcement.
London Mayor Randall Weddle initially reported that up to seven people were injured, noting that not all injuries were from gunshots—some resulted from car accidents. He confirmed that there were no fatalities at that time. The shooting occurred on Interstate 75 at Exit 49, which led to a temporary closure of the highway due to the ongoing active shooter situation.
Shooting on Kentucky Highway Leaves Multiple Injured, Suspect at Large Amid Manhunt
The highway has since been reopened in both north and southbound directions, according to the London Police Department. Despite this, the situation remained fluid with authorities continuing their response and investigation into the incident. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office has been working alongside multiple agencies, including the FBI, ATF, state police, and other city police departments.
In their efforts to locate the suspect, the London Police Department released a photograph of Joseph A. Couch, a 32-year-old white male, who is considered armed and dangerous. Couch is approximately 5’10” tall and weighs around 154 pounds. Authorities have advised the public not to approach him and to report any sightings immediately.
Local officials, including Mayor Weddle, have urged residents to avoid the area and seek alternative routes. Specifically, they have advised against using U.S. Route 25 between London and Livingston. The scene remains contained overnight, with an active search and investigation planned to resume at daybreak on Sunday.
