Police were searching for a gunman in rural southeastern Kentucky near Interstate 75 early Sunday morning after up to seven people were injured in a vehicle crash following gunfire and violence, authorities said.
The shooting began just after 6:30 p.m. Saturday, prompting multiple law enforcement agencies to focus on a search for the suspect. The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that this was a shooting incident in which multiple people were shot near a highway.
London Mayor Randall Weddle said in a video statement that he had heard seven people were injured, but that not all were gunshot wounds. Some of the victims were injured in incidents that occurred when the shooting began, he said.
London, a small city of about 8,000 people, is located about 75 miles (120 km) south of Lexington.
There have been no fatalities at this time. Thankfully, no one has died as a result of this incident, but Weddle said people should continue to pray.
Officials with St. Joseph London Hospital said in a statement that the hospital was treating multiple patients, LEX 18 reported. The hospital added that those it received had minor injuries. Jay Blanton, a spokesman for the University of Kentucky’s Albert B. Chandler Hospital, said two victims were hospitalized but he had no information on their condition.
The sheriff’s office also announced that a suspect has been identified in connection with the shooting, saying he should be considered armed and dangerous and not approached. The suspect has been identified as Joseph A. Couch, a 32-year-old white male, and they urged anyone with information on the suspect’s whereabouts to call the county 911 center.
Sheriff’s officials in Laurel County urged area residents to stay home as police continue to search for the shooter.
“This is certainly a senseless act of violence that does not reflect the values of this community, the commonwealth and its people,” the statement said.
The Mount Vernon Fire Department said in a statement that multiple police and fire personnel were on scene and working to resolve the situation, and urged drivers to avoid Interstate 75 and Interstate 25.
The interstate was closed 9 miles (14 kilometers) north of London but reopened about three hours later, the sheriff’s office said.
In a video posted to Facebook late Saturday night, Mayor Weddle sought to ease residents’ fears as the search for the shooter continued, urging people to call 911 if they heard or saw anything suspicious near their homes.
“We ask everyone to not leave their homes if there is an active shooter situation because there may be emergency responders in the area. It’s important for people to know that you are safe. We have multiple agencies in the area, in the city of London and in Laurel County,” Weddle said.
Weddle said searchers have a general idea of where the person is located but declined to provide specific details.
“We have received initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and Homeland Security and are actively monitoring the situation and providing any assistance we can,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a post on the social platform X. “Please pray for all involved.”
First Published: September 8, 2024 | 07:43 AM IST