Person of interest in southern Kentucky mass shooting on the run, considered armed and dangerous

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - UPDATE: The person of interest in a mass shooting on the interstate in Laurel County is on the run and considered armed and dangerous.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are looking for Joseph A. Couch, 32, of Woodbine, KY. He is described as 5′10″ and 154 pounds. Deputies say you should not approach him.

In a Sunday afternoon press conference, Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy Gilbert Acciardo confirmed the search for Couch remains ongoing. Federal, state, and local agencies are working together. He says the London Laurel Rescue Squad’s drone is in the air, using infrared technology to assist in the search. Acciardo says they’re searching a thick, wooded area, making the search difficult.

KY 909, the roadway leading from I-75 exit 49 to US 25, and the exit 49 ramp remain closed.

Acciardo says late Saturday night, a vehicle belonging to Couch was located near a Forest Service Road off of I-75 exit 49. He calls finding the car “a lucky break,” allowing them to identify Couch as a person of interest. He credits locating the vehicle to “good police work.”

Due to the vehicle’s location, deputies believe Couch was not shooting from his vehicle. They say Couch likely would have had to walk toward the interstate.

Sunday afternoon, Deupty Acciardo announced an AR-15 was found in this area. He says they believe the AR-15 was the weapon used in Saturday’s mass shooting. They’re still waiting for ballistics to confirm this. Several fully charged magazines were also found in the area. Acciardo says they have not yet confirmed who the AR-15 is registered to.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office is still urging people to avoid the area. While they believe Couch is on the county’s north end, Acciardo says he could “pop up anywhere.”

Acciardo says this was “definitely not” a road rage situation. However, a motive has not been determined.

Acciardo says the search was temporarily suspended overnight as it was determined there was no threat to the public, and the conditions could have put the search teams in danger.

Laurel County Sheriff John Root says deputies were originally called for a report of a gunshot victim around 5:30 p.m. Saturday on I-75 near exit 49.

When deputies arrived, they found nine vehicles had been shot into in both the north and southbound lanes. Five people were found to be seriously injured.

Deputies on the scene transported the injured to a local hospital for treatment. London Mayor Randall Weddle told WKYT that the five victims were stable. Three were flown out of St. Joseph London for treatment. 2 injured will were reported to be treated at UK Hospital in Lexington.

Joseph A. Couch is named a person of interest in the shooting Saturday night on I-75 in Laurel County. The Knox County Sheriff's Department shared his picture from previous arrest in February 2024. (Knox County Sheriff's Department)

Lexington police used their helicopter to assist the search.

Officials want to assure citizens they are safe at the moment because of the number of police agencies in the area.

However, they are reminding people to stay vigilant and stay home.

Anyone who is currently in the area is urged to follow directions from law enforcement, fire department personnel and road signs for remaining detours.

Agencies that assisted in the search throughout the evening included: London City police, Kentucky state police, Corbin City Police, Williamsburg City Police, Richmond City Police, FBI, US Marshal service, ATF, Lexington Metro, Rockcastle County Sheriff’s office, Mount Vernon Police Department, East Bernstadt Fire and Rescue, London Fire Department, London – Laurel County Rescue Squad, Laurel County Emergency Management, ABC, Bluegrass Army Depot Police, and numerous area Fire departments.

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