Five people injured following interstate shooting in Kentucky
UPDATE (6:00 PM): The search for an alleged gunman, considered to be "armed and dangerous," will continue in a remote area of Kentucky until it gets dark due to the thick-wooded location.
Authorities say the area where Joseph Couch is believed to be hiding will be contained throughout the night. Crews will be positioned in strategic locations, but not actively searching again until first light.
"We're also going to have people down next to the service station, what if he tries to come down and buy him a pop or whatever, we want to be there," said Deputy Gilbert Acciardo with the Laurell County Sheriff's Office (LCSO).
Multiple law enforcement agencies continued to search a wooded area all day hours after officials say gunfire erupted off an exit near Interstate 75, near the town of London, injuring five people.
Authorities say it's a stressful situation for both the community and for law enforcement.
UPDATE (4:46 PM): On Sunday, authorities released photos of a car belonging to the suspect, 32-year-old Joseph Couch.
He was first referred to as a person of interest, but after authorities investigated the silver Toyota found near the scene, Couch was upgraded to "suspect."
The Laurel County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) says it found an AR-15 near the car that they believe was used in the shooting.
Gunfire hit nine vehicles traveling on the interstate.
Authorities say one person was shot in the face, another in the arm, a third across the chest.
All are expected to survive.
The manhunt is underway in a remote wooded area near Interstate 75. Couch is considered to be armed and dangerous.
UPDATE (12:25 PM): Authorities said they located a vehicle and AR-15 they believe belongs to a person of interest in Saturday's shooting on a Kentucky interstate.
Five people were seriously injured during the incident.
A vehicle, registered to 32-year-old Joseph Couch, was found on a service road the same night of the shooting, and authorities said the AR-15 was recovered Sunday morning from the woods near the interstate.
"I think it's wonderful that we found a weapon. I think that shows everyone that we're headed in the right direction, that there is a suspect, possibly still there. At this point...we're getting reports that he could be elsewhere, but we're still going on the premise that he's up there in the woods."
Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, Laurel County Sheriff's Office
Couch is considered armed and dangerous and resident are asked not to approach if they spot him.
LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - The Laurel County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) confirms nine vehicles were shot into through both the northbound and southbound lanes of I-75 in Kentucky on Saturday night, leaving five people seriously injured.
The search for a person of interest is ongoing following the I-75 shooting as they are looking for 32-year-old Joseph Couch in a wooded area near I-75, but that search is difficult due to the terrain.
"It's very dangerous for our guys that are in there. A lot of woods, a lot of like, I say, cuts in the rock. You could be hiding behind a tree and us walk right up on him. But, our guys are really well trained, and the departments that are assisting are as well, and we're just hoping for a good resolution."
Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, Laurel County Sheriff's Office
Couch is considered armed and dangerous and resident are asked not to approach if they spot him.
"Be aware of your surroundings. You know, he can pop up anywhere. I hate to say that, but he could. We don't think so, but he could. So stay vigilant," Acciardo expressed.
