Kentucky highway shooting suspect still at large amid manhunt By Reuters

By Joseph Ax and Rich McKay

(Reuters) -Kentucky police were searching a remote, heavily wooded area on Sunday for a suspected gunman who authorities say opened fire on vehicles traveling a rural stretch of Interstate 75 on Saturday, shooting and injuring five people.

Police believe the shooter is contained within a rugged, rocky area near the scene on the interstate about nine miles from the city of London in southeastern Kentucky, Deputy Gilbert Acciardo of the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office told reporters on Sunday afternoon.

The difficult terrain has complicated the manhunt, which includes a helicopter and a drone with infrared technology. State police had also planned to devote search dogs to the effort.

“That’s probably one of the most remote exits on I-75,” Acciardo said. “It’s a big task. We want to get him before it gets dark again.”

The incident began around 5:30 p.m. (2130 GMT), when officers responded to reports of gunshots at vehicles on the highway. The shots came from a hillside overlooking the highway, Acciardo said, describing a chaotic scene with bullet-riddled cars pulled onto the shoulder.

Five people were in stable condition despite some serious injuries, including one victim who was shot in the face and another in the arm.

Nine vehicles were struck by bullets in all, according to the sheriff’s office. The attack shut down the highway for several hours.

Authorities have identified a person of interest, 32-year-old Joseph Couch, after discovering a car registered to him parked on a service road near the exit. A rifle case was recovered from the vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.

An assault-style rifle was also found near the interstate and in the vicinity of the car on Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

Investigators have not determined a motive for the shooting, Acciardo said.

Police have instructed the public to stay away from the search area, warning that Couch should be considered armed and dangerous.

The shooting took place three days after two students and two teachers were killed, and nine others wounded, at a high school in Winder, Georgia.

A 14-year-old student and his father, suspected of giving his son access to the gun used in the shooting, have been charged.