The reward has now been increased to a total of $35,000 for information leading to the capture of a Woodbine man, who allegedly shot five people with an AR-15 rifle on I-75 near the Northern Laurel County-Southern Rockcastle County line about 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Over 100 local, state and federal officials have spent more than four days combing through a thick wooded area off Exit 49 searching for Joseph A. Couch, 32, who is facing five counts of first-degree assault and five counts of attempted murder in connection with the incident.
During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Kentucky State Police Public Affairs Officer Scottie Pennington said that authorities have not uncovered any information, which would lead them to believe that Couch has left the general area where the shooting took place, but he acknowledged that it is a possibility and officials are diligently following up on all leads both inside and outside of Laurel County.
Most local school districts have called off in-person classes through Wednesday because of the ongoing manhunt for Couch, who authorities say should be considered armed and dangerous.
Reward increased
On Monday, an anonymous donor gave $10,000 for a reward leading to Couch’s arrest. The London-Laurel Crime Stoppers program donated a $5,000 reward Monday, and upped their reward to a total of $15,000 Tuesday after another $10,000 anonymous donation.
Laurel County Sheriff’s Public Affairs Deputy Gilbert Acciardo confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the United Way of London has donated a $10,000 reward raising the grand reward total to $35,000 for information leading to Couch’s arrest.
Couch is described as standing approximately 5’10’ and weighing approximately 154 pounds.
Anyone with information about Couch’s whereabouts is asked to call KSP Post 11 at (606) 878-6622, London-Laurel County E-911 dispatch center at (606) 878-7000, or Crime Stoppers at (606) 682-1013.
Shooting investigation
Sheriff John Root said that a total of five people were shot, but there were no fatalities. All five victims are expected to recover, including one victim shot in the face and another shot in the arm.
At least one shooting victim has reportedly been released from the hospital already.
Sheriff’s Capt. Richard Dalrymple, who is leading the investigation, said that the shooter legally obtained the AR-15 rifle that is believed to have been used in the shooting and about 1,000 rounds of ammunition from a store in London Saturday morning.
Dalrymple said that authorities believe Couch fired 20-30 shots striking a dozen vehicles. Some vehicle were shot more than once and others didn’t know their vehicle had been shot until they got home.
Police have since recovered the suspect’s vehicle, the AR-15 rifle and most of the ammunition.
Authorities believe Couch allegedly fired about 30 feet down from a ridge overlooking I-75.
Authorities have said that they don’t have a motive yet for the shooting, or at least a motive that they can disclose at this time.
Police have been forced to discontinue their search of the woods during the evening hours because of darkness, but have maintained a perimeter with armed officers around the area where Couch is believed to still be hiding.
Kentucky State Police took over Sunday afternoon as the agency leading the manhunt after the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department announced that it had exhausted its resources. Since that time, KSP has brought in additional officers from different locations around the state to help in the search.
At times, officials have estimated that about 150 people have been involved in the search effort, with about 40-50 officers wearing specialized equipment actively searching in the woods.
In addition, police are using drones and helicopters with heat detecting cameras in an attempt to locate Couch in addition to police K-9’s.
Assisting agencies include: London City Police, Kentucky State Police, Corbin City Police, Williamsburg City Police, Richmond City Police, FBI, US Marshal service, ATF, Lexington Metro, Rockcastle County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Vernon Police Department, East Bernstadt Fire and Rescue, London Fire Department, London-Laurel County Rescue Squad, Laurel County Emergency Management, ABC, Bluegrass Army Depot Police, and numerous other area fire departments.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s Department is still leading the criminal investigation into the shooting.
Background
London-Laurel County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele said that Couch has a very minimal criminal record.
“There was nothing in his criminal history that made me think, ‘Oh, we should have known this was coming,’” Steele said during a press conference Sunday evening.
Among the charges was a terroristic threatening charge filed in Knox County earlier this year that was dismissed about one month later.
Laurel County Attorney Jodi Albright added, “I have confidence he will be brought to justice and justice will be served.”
Pennington said Tuesday afternoon that the ideal scenario would be for Couch to surrender himself to authorities, if he is still alive, and face justice.
Authorities haven’t ruled out the possibility that Couch killed himself and the body hasn’t been found yet.
Pennington noted Tuesday afternoon that if Couch did kill himself, then authorities may soon start seeing signs, such as vultures circling over the area where his body is decomposing.
Couch is originally from the Knox-Whitley County area. He served in the Army Reserves for at least four years, and received an honorable discharge. He was with an engineer battalion.
Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr. confirmed Tuesday afternoon that about 10 years ago, Couch worked at the Whitley County E-911 Dispatch Center for a short period of time, but that he hadn’t been employed by the county since that time.
