I-75 shut down in Laurel County after ‘numerous’ people shot, sheriff says

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I-75 shut down in Laurel County after ‘numerous’ people shot, sheriff says

“Numerous” people were shot near Interstate 75 in Southern Kentucky Saturday evening in what authorities are describing as an active shooter situation.

Eighteen miles of I-75 are closed between Mt. Vernon and London, as are several side roads in the area, as police search for the shooter.

Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington said in an interview that state police got reports that vehicles were being shot into on the interstate, but he did not know how many people were shot. He said he did not know of any fatalities.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office identified Joseph A. Couch, 32, as a person of interest in the shooting, saying in a Facebook post that he should be considered armed and dangerous, and the public should not attempt to approach him.

“If you have any information regarding the whereabouts or location on this individual please contact the London-Laurel County 911 Center by calling 911 or 606-878-7000,” the sheriff’s office said.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said Joseph A. Couch, 32, is a person of interest in a shooting that occurred near Interstate 75 in the Exit 49/Ky. 909 area Saturday night.

Couch is described as a white man standing about 5-foot-10 and weighing about 154 pounds.

Pennington said state police were notified at 6:36 p.m. that the interstate must be shut down. No law enforcement officers have been harmed.

University of Kentucky spokesman Jay Blanton said UK Chandler Hospital had received two patients from the shooting and was prepared to receive more if necessary..

Gov. Andy Beshear said he was receiving updates from state police as well as the Office of Homeland Security.

“Together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible. Please pray for everyone involved,” Beshear said in a post on the social media platform X.

Both directions of the interstate were closed, Beshear tweeted.

“Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County,” the post stated. “Law enforcement has shut the interstate down in both directions at exit 49. Please avoid the area. We will provide more details once they are available.”

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said both northbound and southbound lanes of I-75 were closed between Exit 41 and Exit 59 and that U.S. 25 was closed nine miles north of London, as well as Ky. 909.

Traffic was heavy in the area Saturday night, and motorists heading north on Interstate 75 south of the scene were being routed off the interstate toward Somerset. From there, they could get on the interstate in Mount Vernon.

Members of Laurel County’s legislative delegation released a statement asking people to avoid the area. They also asked people who live near the scene to “remain in their homes as local law enforcement and the Kentucky State Police work.”

“As we continue to learn more about this attack, we ask for prayers for everyone involved, the victims, their families, and the first responders,” the statement said. “Without a doubt, this is an act of senseless violence that does not reflect the values of this community, our Commonwealth, or its people.”

This is a developing story and will be updated. Herald-Leader staff writer Bill Estep contributed to this report.

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. Please pray for everyone involved. ^AB

— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) September 7, 2024

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