LONDON, Ky. (WDKY) — A manhunt was underway Sunday as authorities in a rural area of Kentucky searched for a gunman. Police said seven people were hurt in a shooting on Interstate 75 and a vehicle accident that accompanied the violence.
At around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office closed a portion of Interstate 75 near London, Kentucky — a small city of about 8,000 located about 75 miles south of Lexington — due to an active shooter situation.
Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesperson for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, said authorities were notified about 5:30 p.m. Saturday about gunshots along Interstate 75. When they arrived at the scene, they found numerous vehicles on the side of the highway at Exit 49.
“When our first two units got to the scene there, they said it was a madhouse: people on the sides of the road, emergency flashers going, bullet holes, windows shot out, nine vehicles shot. Can you imagine that? Just chaotic,” Acciardo said during a news conference Sunday.
Initially, the sheriff’s office told Nexstar’s WDKY that five people had been shot. As of Saturday night, all five were listed as being in stable condition, although some of the victims had “very serious” injuries, including one person who was shot in the face, Acciardo said.
Two other people were hurt in the vehicle accident, he said.
At around 8:30 p.m., authorities said they had identified a person of interest, 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office warned Couch is considered armed and dangerous, and advised the public not to attempt to approach him.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts or location is asked to contact the London-Laurel County 911 Center by calling 911 or 606-878-7000.
Acciardo cautioned that authorities “have not determined that this is the individual that fired the weapon.”
As of early Sunday morning, authorities were still searching for the shooter.
Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies searched a remote, wooded area, but eventually suspended the search because of darkness. The search will resume at daybreak Sunday, Acciardo said.
“We do have the area contained right now. It’s a very fluid investigation. Our people are still on the scene. Our special response team is there. We are trying to find a shooter there,” he said.
State lawmakers from Laurel County urged residents in the area to stay home as police continued to search for the shooter.
“Without a doubt, this is an act of senseless violence that does not reflect the values of this community, our Commonwealth, or its people,” they said in a statement.
Authorities believe there was only one shooter and Acciardo said they do not believe the shooting was sparked by road rage.
In a video update on Facebook late Saturday night, London Mayor Randall Weddle tried to calm fears as the search continued for the gunman. He urged residents to call 911 if they hear or see anything suspicious near their homes.
“We’re asking folks, please, do not go outside your home shooting because we might have first responders in that area. It’s important to know you are safe. We have multiple agencies in this community, in the city of London and in Laurel County,” Weddle said.
Weddle said searchers “know the general area where this individual is,” but he would not release specific details.
“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,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a post on the social platform X. “Please pray for everyone involved.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.