The suspect in the Kentucky I-75 shooting may still be alive, according to a US Marshal.
A $25,000 reward is being offered by authorities for information about the whereabouts and arrest of Joseph Couch.
Officials from Kentucky, states, and the federal government continued their search on Thursday for Joseph A. Couch, the alleged shooter and fugitive, in a heavily wooded area in the southeastern part of the state.
On September 7, 2021, in Laurel County, I-75 near exit 49, Couch, 32, was accused of shooting dozens of rounds towards the interstate, injuring five people from a wooded area on the side of the road.
"I plan to murder many individuals. At least I'll give it a shot," Couch reportedly wrote in a text message at approximately 5 p.m. on Sept. 7.
According to an affidavit obtained by Planet Chronicle Digital, he stated that he would take his own life after the incident.
The area where authorities are searching for the fugitive is "extremely wooded and rural," as it borders the Daniel Boone National Forest.
The USMS is just there to assist in the search for Couch, along with the FBI, Laurel County Sheriff's Office, London Police Department, and Kentucky State Police.
Honaker stated that it's a collective effort to attempt to remove a dangerous individual from the street.
The U.S. Marshal stated that Couch, who has a military background and served in the National Guard, may be able to survive on his own in the southeastern Kentucky wilderness. However, Honaker was unsure about Couch's level of expertise in survival in the woods.
Authorities believe Couch fired between 20 and 30 rounds Sept. 7.
A Cobalt AR-15 rifle and a silver SUV were retrieved by officers, but Couch is still at large.
An employee of Center Target Firearms informed law enforcement that Couch had spent approximately $3,000 on an AR-15 and 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
On Thursday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear met with law enforcement in the search for Couch. He stated that four shooting victims have been discharged from the hospital, and the fifth is anticipated to recover.
The sheriff's office has issued five warrants for Couch's arrest, each related to a wounded shooting victim, and is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to his capture. Couch is being charged with attempted murder and assault.
If you have any information about Couch's location, please contact the Laurel County sheriff at 606-864-6600 or the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED-2.
Planet Chronicle' Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
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