Suspected Kentucky interstate shooter has military background, still on lam 48 hours after attack

Search for Joseph Couch has involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including FBI

Active shooter reported on Kentucky I-75

Fox News national correspondent Bryan Llenas reports of an active shooting situation on Interstate 75 in Kentucky on 'The Big Weekend Show.'

A man who allegedly opened fire near Interstate 75 in Kentucky over the weekend was still at large Monday afternoon, eluding federal, local and state authorities. 

The suspect, identified as 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, opened fire around 6 p.m. Saturday near exit 49, authorities said.

Providing an update on the search Monday afternoon, State Trooper Scottie Pennington called the manhunt a "methodical effort similar to hide and seek." 

Our goal is to apply steady pressure and wearing Mr. Couch down," Pennington said. "Hopefully he has no water and nothing to eat."

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Couch Kentucky manhunt

Joseph Couch is evading officers after allegedly opening fire on I-75 in Kentucky.  (AP)

Pennington said Crouch has military experience, having been in the U.S. Army Reserve, but was discharged. 

The U.S. Army said Couch was in the Army Reserve from March 2013 to January 2019 as a 12B combat engineer.

"He was a private at the end of service. He has no deployments," the U.S. Army said. 

Pennington likened the woods around the area to a jungle, with cliff beds, sinkholes, caves and culverts. 

A split of the scene and the suspect

(WDKY/London Police Department)

He urged the public to contact authorities if they encounter anything suspicious. 

"If you see something that looks strange in your area where you live, if you come home and your doors don't seem like that's how you left it, back out and call somebody," Pennington said. "If you're at home, don't be alone. Always have your cell phone. Have phone access." 

Wooded area in search for suspected Kentucky interstate gunman

Trees stand in wooded areas alongside Interstate 75 near Livingston, Ky., Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024, as police search for a suspect in a shooting Saturday along the Interstate.  (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

The search has involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the ATF, London City Police, and the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department, among others. 

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. 

Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more. 

via September 9th 2024