Kentucky I75 Shooting: Incident Details and Aftermath

Incident details

• Kentucky I-75 shooting event: On September 7, 2024, Joseph Couch, the I-75 shooter in Kentucky, opened fire on vehicles traveling southbound on I-75 near Exit 49 in Laurel County, Kentucky, injuring five people and damaging 12 vehicles

• Weapon and ammunition: The Kentucky I-75 shooter used an AR-15 style semiautomatic rifle he had legally purchased that morning, along with 1,000 rounds of ammunition

• Suspect's background: Joseph Couch, the I-75 shooter in Kentucky, was a 32-year-old former US Army reservist who served as a combat engineer from 2013 to 2019

• Motive: Authorities have not publicly speculated on a specific motive for the Kentucky I-75 shooting, but Couch sent text messages indicating his intent to "kill a lot of people" and then himself

Law enforcement response

• Manhunt: A 10-day search covering over 28,000 acres of Daniel Boone National Forest was conducted to find the I-75 shooter in Kentucky, involving state and federal law enforcement, dogs, drones, and a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter

• Rewards offered: An anonymous donor offered a $10,000 reward, and the Kentucky State Police announced a $5,000 reward through Crime Stoppers for information leading to the arrest of the Kentucky I-75 shooter

• Public safety measures: Authorities increased police presence in surrounding communities following the Laurel County interstate shooting, including schools, bus routes, sporting events, day cares, hospitals, residences, and businesses

Traffic disruption and public impact

• Interstate closure: I-75 was closed from exits 41-59, and U.S. 25 was closed from mile marker 17.3 to the Laurel County line at mile marker 23.9 due to the active Kentucky I-75 shooting situation

• Victim status: Four of the five victims of the Laurel County interstate shooting were released from the hospital within a week, with the fifth victim expected to survive

Resolution of the incident

• Body discovery: On September 18, 2024, a body believed to be that of the I-75 shooter in Kentucky was found in a wooded area near Exit 49 on I-75 in Laurel County, close to the Kentucky I-75 shooting location

• Evidence recovered: Authorities found the Kentucky I-75 shooter's abandoned vehicle, an Army-style duffel bag with his name, a phone with the battery removed, and the AR-15 rifle used in the shooting

• Identification process: An autopsy was scheduled for September 19, 2024, in Frankfort to confirm the identity of the body believed to be the I-75 shooter in Kentucky

FAQ

What happened during the Kentucky I-75 shooting?

On September 7, 2024, Joseph Couch, a 32-year-old former Army reservist, opened fire on vehicles traveling southbound on I-75 near Exit 49 in Laurel County, Kentucky. He injured five people and damaged 12 vehicles using an AR-15 style semiautomatic rifle.

Who was the I-75 shooter in Kentucky?

The I-75 shooter in Kentucky was identified as Joseph Couch, a 32-year-old former US Army reservist who served as a combat engineer from 2013 to 2019. He legally purchased the weapon used in the shooting on the same day as the incident.

How long did the manhunt for the Laurel County interstate shooting suspect last?

The manhunt for the I-75 shooter in Kentucky lasted 10 days. It covered over 28,000 acres of Daniel Boone National Forest and involved state and federal law enforcement, dogs, drones, and a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter.

Were there any fatalities in the Kentucky I-75 shooting?

There were no reported fatalities among the victims of the Laurel County interstate shooting. Five people were injured, with four released from the hospital within a week and the fifth expected to survive.

How was the Kentucky I-75 shooting incident resolved?

On September 18, 2024, authorities found a body believed to be that of Joseph Couch, the I-75 shooter in Kentucky, in a wooded area near Exit 49 on I-75 in Laurel County. An autopsy was scheduled to confirm the identity of the body.