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Shooter I 75: Kentucky Interstate Gunman Joseph Couch Found Dead After Manhunt

Alex KataevbyAlex Kataev·Sep 19, 2024
In Short

The shooter on I-75 in Kentucky, Joseph Couch, was found dead on September 18, 2024, near Exit 49 in Laurel County. He allegedly wounded five people in the I-75 shooting in Kentucky on September 7, 2024. This led to an 11-day manhunt for the Interstate 75 gunman across 28,000 acres of the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Timeline of events

September 7, 2024: The I-75 shooting in Kentucky

  • Shooting occurs: At 5:27 p.m., the I-75 shooter Joseph Couch allegedly fired 20-30 rounds at vehicles on Interstate 75 near Exit 49 in Laurel County, Kentucky, wounding five people
  • Suspect's actions: Earlier that day, the shooter on I-75 purchased an AR-15 rifle and 1,000 rounds of ammunition
  • Text message: At 5:03 p.m., the Interstate 75 gunman sent a text saying he was going to "kill a lot of people"

September 8-17, 2024: The manhunt for the I-75 shooter

  • Search area: Authorities searched 28,000 acres of the Daniel Boone National Forest over 11 days for the shooter on I-75
  • Resources used: Law enforcement employed helicopters, drones, K9s, cadaver dogs, and thermal imaging in the search for the I-75 shooting Kentucky suspect
  • Reward offered: A $35,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest of the Interstate 75 gunman

September 18, 2024: Body of I-75 shooter discovered

  • Body found: A body believed to be Joseph Couch, the shooter on I-75, was discovered near Exit 49 on Interstate 75 in Laurel County
  • Discovery details: The body of the I-75 shooting Kentucky suspect was found by YouTube live streamers from Hatfield McCoy Museum Adventures
  • Reward claimed: Fred and Sheila McCoy, who helped locate the body of the Interstate 75 gunman, will receive a $25,000 reward

Suspect details of the I-75 shooter

  • Identity: Joseph Couch, 32 years old, from Woodbine, Kentucky, identified as the shooter on I-75
  • Charges: 5 counts of attempted murder and 5 counts of first-degree assault for the I-75 shooting in Kentucky
  • Background: The Interstate 75 gunman served in the Army Reserve and suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Impact on local community from the I-75 shooting

  • School closures: Multiple school districts in southeastern Kentucky canceled classes during the manhunt for the shooter on I-75
  • Public safety: Authorities warned the public to consider the I-75 shooting Kentucky suspect "armed and dangerous" during the search

Victims and aftermath of the Interstate 75 shooting

  • Injuries: Five people were wounded in the I-75 shooting, all expected to survive
  • Hospital status: As of September 16, four of the five victims of the shooter on I-75 had been released from the hospital
  • Vehicles affected: The Interstate 75 gunman allegedly shot at 12 vehicles during the incident

FAQ

Who was the shooter on I-75 in Kentucky?

The shooter on I-75 in Kentucky was identified as Joseph Couch, a 32-year-old man from Woodbine, Kentucky. He was the suspect in the I-75 shooting that occurred on September 7, 2024.

What happened during the I-75 shooting in Kentucky?

On September 7, 2024, at 5:27 p.m., Joseph Couch allegedly fired 20-30 rounds at vehicles on Interstate 75 near Exit 49 in Laurel County, Kentucky. The shooting wounded five people and affected 12 vehicles.

How long did the manhunt for the Interstate 75 gunman last?

The manhunt for the Interstate 75 gunman lasted 11 days, from September 8 to September 18, 2024. Authorities searched 28,000 acres of the Daniel Boone National Forest during this time.

What happened to the I-75 shooter?

The body of Joseph Couch, the I-75 shooter, was discovered on September 18, 2024, near Exit 49 on Interstate 75 in Laurel County. He was found dead by YouTube live streamers from Hatfield McCoy Museum Adventures.

How did the I-75 shooting in Kentucky impact the local community?

The I-75 shooting in Kentucky led to multiple school district closures in southeastern Kentucky during the manhunt. Authorities warned the public to consider the suspect "armed and dangerous," and a $35,000 reward was offered for information leading to his arrest.