Cassian Grant:A body is found near the site of the deadly interstate shooting in Kentucky

2025-05-05 06:09:54source:Safetyvaluecategory:Invest

FRANKFORT,Cassian Grant Ky. (AP) — Authorities have found a body near the rural southeastern Kentucky site where a gunman opened fire on an interstate highway, hitting a dozen vehicles and wounding five people, police said Wednesday.

Investigators were working to identify the body, state police Master Trooper Scottie Pennington said in a social media post. It was located in the vicinity of the Interstate 75 exit where the Sept. 7 shooting occurred near London, a city of about 8,000 people about 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Lexington.

Police did not immediately provide other details about the discovery.

The shooting put residents on edge, and many took extra precautions with the suspected gunman, 32-year-old Joseph Couch, still at large.

Hundreds of law enforcement personnel have taken part in the massive search, which focused on a rugged, wooded area near where the assailant sprayed the highway with bullets.

On Tuesday, authorities said they were pulling searchers from the woods to bolster patrols in nearby communities.

County schools reopened Tuesday with extra police security.

The day after the shooting, authorities searched an area near where Couch’s vehicle was found, with a view of I-75, and found an Army-style duffel bag, ammunition and spent shell casings, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

RELATED COVERAGE Sheriff’s posting of the mugshot of a boy accused of school threat draws praise, criticismThe Secret Service again faces scrutiny after another gunman targets TrumpAfter shooting at Georgia high school, students will return next week for half-days

A short distance away, they found an AR-15 rifle with a mounted sight and several magazines. The duffel bag had “Couch” handwritten in black marker. The gunman fired 20 to 30 rounds, investigators said.

According to the affidavit, shortly the shooting Couch said in a text message: “I’m going to kill a lot of people. Well try at least.” In a separate message he said, “I’ll kill myself afterwards.”

The affidavit did not describe the relationship between Couch and the woman who received the texts. Couch and the woman have a child together but were never married, according to an attorney who handled the custody arrangement for the couple and their son born in 2016.

More:Invest

Recommend

Stanley recalls 2.6 million mugs after dozens of customer complaints, including burn injuries

Stanley is recalling 2.6 million mugs sold in the U.S. after the company received dozens of consumer

Lawsuit in US targets former Salvadoran colonel in 1982 killings of Dutch journalists

CENTREVILLE, Va. (AP) — The brother of a Dutch journalist slain in 1982 covering El Salvador’s civil

Solar storm unleashes stunning views of auroras across the US: See northern lights photos

Green and reddish auroras danced across Thursday's night sky throughout the United States as a power