LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56/NEXSTAR/AP) — Multiple people were shot Saturday along Interstate 75 in a rural area south of Lexington, authorities said.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook around 6:40 p.m. Saturday that the road would be closed in both directions at Exit 49 U.S. 25. Law enforcement said that “numerous people have been shot” in the area of I-75.
Late Saturday night, LCSO announced a person of interest in the shooting, whom officials are asking for information on — though they warn everyone not to approach him. According to LCSO’s Facebook post, the person of interest is 32 year-old Joseph A. Couch. He’s described as a white male, weighing about 154 pounds and standing at 5′ 10″.
If you have any information about Couch or his whereabouts, you’re asked to call Laurel County 911 or (606) 878-7000.
The Lexington Police Department (LPD) told FOX 56 that officers will be escorting ambulances coming from the area of the shooting to the hospital with victims and that a police helicopter is on standby.
Gov. Andy Beshear posted on X around 7:23 p.m. that the situation is being monitored, and asked for prayers “for everyone involved.”
“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,” said Beshear.
This is a developing story.