Wednesday evening Sept. 18th update on Shooting Investigation
LONDON, KY - Laurel County Sheriff John Root is reporting that: An unidentified body was located in the vicinity of Exit 49 off 1-75 Wednesday afternoon. A press briefing will be held at the London Community Center at 8:30 P.M. Wednesday evening September 18th for an update on the I-75 Shooting Investigation.
Could the search for Joseph A. Couch be over? At this point, we don't know.
On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, U.S. Marshal Jeremy Honaker said that Couch is considered a fugitive, and the federal fugitive task force will continue to provide resources to local and state agencies to aid in the apprehension of the individual.
Investigators are working to identify the recovered body.
More information will follow as it becomes available.
On Monday morning Police Public Affairs Officers escorted News Media into the crime scene area on near exit 49 on I-75 where the suspect shooter, Joseph Couch's car was located. Couch who is wanted in connection with the mass shooting that occurred Saturday, September 7th, 2024 on I-75 near exit 49 in Laurel County. Couch's DOB is August 6, 1992 —he is described as being 5'10" tall and weighing approximately 154 pounds.
The Public Affairs Officers were:
- KSP Trooper Scottie Pennington
- LSO Deputy Gilbert Acciardo
- London PD Officer Hobie Daugherty
The Monday update included a link to video of KSP Trooper Scottie Pennington bringing media up to date at crime scene area
The link below is to a video of KSP Trooper Scottie Pennington addressing the media from that location on Monday morning September 16, 2024.
To view: CLICK —HERE FOR TROOPER PENNINGTON VIDEO
Law enforcement agencies continue to actively search for the Interstate 75 mass shooting suspect in the area around exit 49 north of London, KY.
If you have information on the whereabouts of this individual, please call London/Laurel County 911 at 606-878-7000 or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Do not approach! Suspect is considered ARMED and DANGEROUS.
As of Tuesday afternoon Sept. 10, 2024, a reward of $35,000.00 was being offered for information leading to the arrest of Joseph A. Couch (right).
We can be contacted at: the Laurel County Sheriff's office at 606-864-6600 or personal message the Laurel County Sheriff's Office Facebook or on a cell phone using the Sheriff's office app send a message or email to .
We encourage anyone with any information to contact us. Information will be strictly confidential.
Laurel County Sheriff John Root reminds everyone to stay vigilant, stay aware of your surroundings, and check on your neighbors.
The suspect's vehicle was found Sat. night Aug. 7, 2024 near a US Forest Service Road at exit 49 off Interstate 75. Also an AR rifle was recovered near the interstate in the vicinity of the car that was recovered.
Updates will follow as the investigation continues.
Sheriff John Root
Sept. 18th, 2024
6:00 P.M.
