(Reuters) -The suspect involved in the Kentucky shooting manhunt was still at large on Sunday night. Law enforcement agencies conducted a daylong search through rugged terrain.
Kentucky State Police was leading the manhunt for suspect Joseph Couch, 32. Police identified him after finding a vehicle registered to him and an AR-style rifle. These were discovered near the shooting site, about eight miles from the city of London in southeastern Kentucky.
Five people were injured in the shooting spree but are in a stable condition. One victim was shot in the face and another in the arm.
Laurel County Sheriff Captain Richard Dalrymple told reporters that Couch purchased his weapon and ammunition on Saturday morning. The information was shared at a Sunday night press conference.
Couch is alleged to have started shooting from a cliff above a remote stretch of the interstate at around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Officials said at least 12 vehicles were hit.
“We’re not going to stop on this case until we do find him and take him into custody,” said Michael Stansbury, Special Agent in Charge at the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Louisville, Kentucky field office.
Police are still investigating the motive for the shootings.
Local residents were urged to lock their doors, stay vigilant and avoid the manhunt area, where police believe Couch is contained and armed.
Couch, from southern Kentucky, served in the National Guard for four years as a member of the engineer battalion. Dalrymple noted that he had no serious criminal record.
Consequently, law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to locate the individual responsible. The Kentucky shooting manhunt has heightened local security measures and increased public awareness. By working together, the community hopes to swiftly bring the suspect to justice and ensure the safety of all residents and their families effectively.
