Authorities search for gunman after up to seven people hurt on Kentucky highway

Police in the US are searching for a gunman in a rural area of south-eastern Kentucky after up to seven people were hurt in a shooting near Interstate 75 and a crash that accompanied the violence.

The shooting began just after 6.30pm on Saturday and was followed by an intense search for a suspect by multiple law enforcement agencies.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook that it was an “active shooter situation” and “numerous persons” were shot near the highway.

Deputy Gilbert Acciardo said authorities received reports about gunshots along Interstate 75 at about 5.30pm on Saturday.

When they arrived at the scene in London, a small city with a population of about 8,000 located about 75 miles (120km) south of Lexington, they found numerous vehicles on the side of the highway at Exit 49.

“When our first two units got to the scene there, they said it was a madhouse: people on the sides of the road, emergency flashers going, bullet holes, windows shot out, nine vehicles shot. Can you imagine that? Just chaotic,” he said during a news conference on Sunday.

Five people were shot and are all in a stable condition, although some have “very serious” injuries, including one person who was shot in the face, Mr Acciardo said.

Two other people were hurt in the vehicle accident, he added.

Police blocked traffic in both directions on the highway because they did not know where the bullets came from.

“We’re still attempting to determine that,” Mr Acciardo said.

Authorities believe there was only one gunman and Mr Acciardo said they do not believe the shooting was sparked by road rage.

Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies searched a remote, wooded area, but eventually suspended the search because of darkness. The search will resume at daybreak on Sunday, he said.

“We do have the area contained right now. It’s a very fluid investigation. Our people are still on the scene. Our special response team is there. We are trying to find a shooter there,” he added.

The sheriff’s office announced that a “person of interest” has been identified in connection with the shooting, saying he should be considered armed and dangerous and people should not approach him.

He was named as Joseph A Couch, a 32-year-old white male, and anyone with information about his location was urged to call 911.

Mr Acciardo warned that authorities “have not determined that this is the individual that fired the weapon”.

State politicians from Laurel County urged residents in the area to stay at home as police continued to search for the gunman.

“Without a doubt, this is an act of senseless violence that does not reflect the values of this community, our commonwealth, or its people,” they said in a statement.

Mount Vernon Fire Department said a “heavy presence of police and fire personnel” was on the scene and “working diligently to address the situation”. It advised motorists to avoid I-75 and US 25.

The interstate was closed 9 miles (14km) north of London but reopened about three hours later, according to the sheriff’s office.

In a video update on Facebook late on Saturday night, London Mayor Randall Weddle tried to calm fears as the search continued for the gunman.

He urged residents to call 911 if they heard or saw anything suspicious near their homes.

“We’re asking folks please do not go outside your home shooting because we might have first responders in that area. It’s important to know you are safe. We have multiple agencies in this community, in the city of London and in Laurel County,” he said.

Mr Weddle said searchers “know the general area where this individual is” but would not give specific details.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in a post on social platform X, formerly Twitter: “I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our Office of Homeland Security – together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible.

“Please pray for everyone involved.”