Update 4 – The Kentucky State Police have provided an update on the search for Joseph Couch who is a suspect in the shooting on Interstate Highway 75 on September 7, 2024. KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett announced that troopers and two civilians found a body in the deep brush behind exit 49 in Laurel County.

Burnett said authorities are confident that tonight will bring closure to the search for Joseph Couch. Troopers had been searching the area all day when they noticed vultures in the air. Authorities attempted to locate the exact area where the vultures were circling and noticed an odor consistent with decomposition.

While moving through the brush, the troopers heard voices and identified themselves. Burnett said that the couple, Fred and Sheila McCoy, told troopers they were searching for Couch. A short time later, the troopers and the McCoys found the unidentified body.

Authorities will transport the body to the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort on Thursday. Police found personal artifacts and a weapon consistent with the suspect.

Update 3 – The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office confirms the search for Joseph A. Couch is continuing off exit 49 off I-75 approximately eight miles north of London, Kentucky. Ground searches involve LCSO deputies, federal, state, and local officers.

LCSO has provided a picture of the suspect’s vehicle which was recovered on Saturday night off exit 49 of a US forest service road near the shooting location. No other details are available at this time.

 

Update 2 – Laurel County Sheriff John Root has provided an update on the shooting on I-75. Root reports that LCSO deputies responded to a gunshot victim complaint on I-75 at exit 49 approximately eight miles north of London around 5:30 p.m. on September 7, 2024.

At the scene, deputies found nine vehicles shot in the north and southbound lanes. Five people were found with serious injuries. The victims were transported to an area hospital for treatment.

More deputies and members of the special response team along with London Police Department officers and Kentucky State Police troopers responded to the scene. I-75 was closed for multiple hours because of the danger to passing vehicles.

Sheriff Root reports that 32-year-old Joseph Couch was developed as a person of interest in the case. The search for Couch is ongoing.

Update 1 – The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office confirms the search for the suspect continues. I-75 has been reopened. No other details are available at this time.

Original – The London Police Department is currently searching for Joseph A. Couch who is considered a person of interest in Saturday’s shooting at the Exit 49/KY-909 area. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 606-878-7000.

32-year-old Couch is described as a white male around 5’10 and weighing approximately 154 pounds. Couch should not be approached.