Authorities identify Kentucky suspect as search in woods continues

STORY: ::September 8, 2024:: Search for Interstate-75 highway shootingsuspect enters second evening in Kentucky:: London, Kentucky::Gilbert Acciardo/Laurel County Sheriff's OfficeJOURNALIST (OFF-CAMERA): “How serious should people take this? Do they need to stay inside and not go out?”ACCIARDO: “I mean I mean, it's a serious matter. He shot five innocent people that are, I mean, some of them are critically hurt, really bad. So where is he? That's the big question right now. And so people should be aware and just be aware of your surroundings.”JOURNALIST (OFF-CAMERA): “Would you give us some idea of the area you’re searching?”ACCIARDO: “You know, that's been asked earlier and that's such a remote area up there. It's it's much more than a than a mile. But, you know, we had the start somewhere. We did find the location that he shot from. So that's where we start expanding our search and just perimeter that out. We've got drones, we've got helicopters, we've got dogs. Like I say, federal, state and local agencies have assisted us greatly on this. There's been an outpouring like you would not believe. And, you know, we're doing the best we can. We're trying to we're trying to get him.Authorities urged residents to stay away from the site of the manhunt, as search teams scoured a rugged, rocky area near the interstate some 8 miles from the city of London in southeastern Kentucky where they believe the gunman was contained.Officials named Joseph Couch, 32, as a suspect after discovering a car registered to him parked on a service road near the shooting site. A rifle case was recovered from the vehicle, and an AR rifle was found near the car on Sunday afternoon, the Laurel County Sheriff's office said.Difficult terrain has complicated the manhunt, which includes a helicopter and a drone with infrared technology and involves federal, state and local agencies."We did find the location that he shot from. So that's where we start expanding our search and just perimeter that out. We've got drones, we've got helicopters, we've got dogs. Like I say, federal, state and local agencies have assisted us greatly on this. There's been an outpouring like you would not believe. And, you know, we're doing the best we can. We're trying to get him," Deputy Gilbert Acciardo of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office told reporters. Investigators have not determined a motive for the shooting, Acciardo said.The incident began around 5:30 p.m. (2130 GMT) on Saturday, when officers responded to reports of gunshots at vehicles on the highway. The shots came from a hillside overlooking the highway, Acciardo said, describing a chaotic scene with bullet-riddled cars pulled onto the shoulder.Five people were in stable condition despite some serious injuries, including one victim who was shot in the face and another in the arm.Nine vehicles in all were struck by bullets, according to the sheriff's office. The attack shut down the highway for several hours.

STORY: ::September 8, 2024 :: Search for Interstate-75 highway shooting suspect enters second evening in Kentucky :: London, Kentucky ::Gilbert Acciardo/Laurel County Sheriff's Office JOURNALIST (OFF-CAMERA): “How serious should people take this? Do they need to stay inside and not go out?” ACCIARDO: “I mean I mean, it's a serious matter. He shot five innocent people that are, I mean, some of them are critically hurt, really bad. So where is he? That's the big question right now.

And so people should be aware and just be aware of your surroundings.” JOURNALIST (OFF-CAMERA): “Would you give us some idea of the area you’re searching?” ACCIARDO: “You know, that's been asked earlier and that's such a remote area up there. It's it's much more than a than a mile.

But, you know, we had the start somewhere. We did find the location that he shot from. So that's where we start expanding our search and just perimeter that out.

We've got drones, we've got helicopters, we've got dogs. Like I say, federal, state and local agencies have assisted us greatly on this. There's been an outpouring like you would not believe.

And, you know, we're doing the best we can. We're trying to we're trying to get him. Authorities urged residents to stay away from the site of the manhunt, as search teams scoured a rugged, rocky area near the interstate some 8 miles from the city of London in southeastern Kentucky where they believe the gunman was contained.

Officials named Joseph Couch, 32, as a suspect after discovering a car registered to him parked on a service road near the shooting site. A rifle case was recovered from the vehicle, and an AR rifle was found near the car on Sunday afternoon, the Laurel County Sheriff's office said. Difficult terrain has complicated the manhunt, which includes a helicopter and a drone with infrared technology and involves federal, state and local agencies.

"We did find the location that he shot from. So that's where we start expanding our search and just perimeter that out. We've got drones, we've got helicopters, we've got dogs.

Like I say, federal, state and local agencies have assisted us greatly on this. There's been an outpouring like you would not believe. And, you know, we're doing the best we can.

We're trying to get him," Deputy Gilbert Acciardo of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office told reporters. Investigators have not determined a motive for the shooting, Acciardo said. The incident began around 5:30 p.

m. (2130 GMT) on Saturday, when officers responded to reports of gunshots at vehicles on the highway. The shots came from a hillside overlooking the highway, Acciardo said, describing a chaotic scene with bullet-riddled cars pulled onto the shoulder.

Five people were in stable condition despite some serious injuries, including one victim who was shot in the face and another in the arm. Nine vehicles in all were struck by bullets, according to the sheriff's office. The attack shut down the highway for several hours.

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