By Jerald Jimenez
08 Sep 2024, 09:25 AM EDT
A man has been identified as a person of interest following a shooting on Kentucky’s Interstate 75 that left seven people injured. Authorities are urging residents to shelter in place as the search continues.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office identified the person of interest as Joseph A. Couch, 32, who is considered “armed and dangerous.”
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said Interstate 75 was reopened Saturday night following the report of an active shooter.
The incident reportedly occurred near London, Kentucky, and left seven people injured, according to an official statement from London Mayor Randall Weddle. However, not all of the victims suffered gunshot wounds, as a traffic accident also occurred at the scene.
At least two of the injured were taken to UK HealthCare, although no details about their condition have been released, ABC News confirmed.
Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington said the suspect remains at large and urged residents to stay home and avoid the affected area.
Mayor Weddle said the terrain where Couch is believed to be located is “very rugged.” Meanwhile, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear announced on Tuesday that the highway was closed in both directions at Exit 49 and that he was monitoring the situation closely.
The Louisville-based U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting state police in the investigation, the agency said.
With information from ABC News