US police continue to search for gunman in rural area early this morning in the southeastern part of the state of Kentucky, near the interstate highway I-75, where, according to the authorities, at least seven people were injured in an indiscriminate shooting and a subsequent car accident, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
After the shooting last night, an intensive manhunt for a suspect was launched by multiple police officers. The Laurel County Sheriff's Office said in a Facebook post that it was an "active shooter situation." and added that "a lot of people" were shot near the highway.
Laurel County Sheriff's Office spokesman Gilbert Acciardo said authorities were notified around 5:30 p.m. yesterday of shots fired on Interstate I-75. Arriving at the scene outside the small town of London, Kentucky, they found multiple cars on both sides of the road at exit 49 of the freeway.
"When our first two teams arrived on the scene, they reported that it was a madhouse: people on both sides of the road, emergency lights on, bullet holes, broken car windows, nine vehicles shot. Just chaos," Acciardo said at a press conference early this morning.
At least five people were injured. All are in stable condition, although some of the injured have "very serious" injuries, including one person who was shot in the face. According to the sheriff's office spokesman, two more people were injured in the ensuing car crash.
Police have blocked traffic in both directions on the highway as it is still unclear where the bullets came from. "We're trying to figure that out," Acciardo said. Authorities believe there was only one shooter, and a Sheriff's Office spokesman said the shooting was likely unrelated to "road rage."
Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies began searching a remote wooded area, but the search was temporarily suspended due to darkness. Acciardo said the search would resume at dawn.
"The area is currently under control. The investigation is proceeding quickly. Our people are still on the ground. Our special response team is out there trying to locate the shooter,'' Acciardo said.
The Sheriff's Office said a suspect, believed to be armed and dangerous, has been identified and is advising people not to approach him. The suspect is Joseph Couch, a 32-year-old white male. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call 911.
Acciardo cautioned that authorities are not yet certain that this individual is the shooter.
The Sheriff's Office urged residents in the area to stay indoors while police continue their search.