Manhunt in Kentucky Underway After Shooting Near Interstate 75

I-75 highway after reports of multiple people shot north of London, Ky., on Sept. 7, 2024. Laurel County Sheriff's Office/Handout via Reuters

A manhunt for a shooter is underway in Laurel County, Kentucky, after reports that multiple people were shot in traffic near the Interstate-75, about nine miles north of London. The shooting occurred just before 6 p.m. No information on deaths or injuries is available.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington, in a Facebook post, urged local residents to stay inside.

At 9 p.m., the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office identified the person of interest in the shooting as Joseph A. Couch, warning that he should be “considered armed and dangerous.”

Authorities described Couch as “a 32 year old white male approximately 5’10 weighing approximately 154lbs.”

“If you have any information regarding the whereabouts or location on this individual, please contact the London-Laurel County 911 Center by calling 911 or 606-878-7000. ***DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPROACH***”

Earlier, the Interstate-75 had been closed in both directions, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department said, in response to an “active shooter situation” near Exit 49 and the US 25.

The I-75 was closed from Exit 41 to 61. The US 25 and KY 909 were also closed, with drivers asked to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear asked people to avoid the area for their safety.

“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,” he said on social media.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said in a post on X that it is working with local authorities in response to the “critical incident.”

Drivers were told to “expect significant delays” in the area two hours following the shooting, according to an 8 p.m. update by The Mount Vernon Fire Department.

“The time frame for reopening the interstate is currently unknown. Please continue to avoid the area, use alternate routes, and follow detour signs and directions from authorities,” it said.

By 9 p.m., there were still “heavy traffic and delays” along the detour routes, with drivers urged to avoid the area if possible.

The sheriff’s office in a 10 p.m. update said that the I-75 was now reopen in both directions, but that the suspect had not been located.

“Search for the suspect continues,” the office said.

Reuters contributed to this report.