Austin Caldwell:A body is found near the site of the deadly interstate shooting in Kentucky

2025-05-06 12:05:04source:TradeEdge Exchangecategory:reviews

FRANKFORT,Austin Caldwell 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:reviews

Recommend

A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?

Among the dozens of executive actions President Trump signed on his first day in office is one aimed

As impeachment looms, Homeland Security secretary says his agency will not be distracted by politics

WASHINGTON (AP) — Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says he doesn’t take it personally

Wisconsin Supreme Court orders election officials to put Phillips on presidential primary ballot

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court ordered state elections officials Friday to include