Search for ‘active shooter’ after seven injured on busy Kentucky highway

A large-scale manhunt is underway after seven people were shot or injured on a Kentucky highway and police warned residents to stay away from their homes.

The shooting occurred Saturday evening near the town of London along Interstate 75.

When police arrived, they found the windows of nine vehicles shot out, the Laurel County Sheriff's Office said.

Officers who responded to the “active shooter situation” described the chaotic scenes as resembling a “madhouse.”

Officers named 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch as a suspect and said he was considered armed and dangerous.

As of early Sunday morning, five of those shot were in stable condition, but some of the victims had suffered “very serious” injuries, including one person with a gunshot wound to the face, Deputy Gilbert Acciardo said.

Two other people were injured in the car accident that accompanied the violence, he said.

According to local media, the suspect may have been shot from a wooded area near the highway or an overpass.

Christina DiNoto, who was traveling with a friend on I-75 at the time of the shooting, told CNN it was “like a rock went through my rear window” and injured her ear.

“We looked at each other and thought, 'Was that a shot?' And then we said, 'No, that wasn't a shot.'”

Police spokesman Acciardo said authorities were notified at 5.30pm (9.30pm GMT).

When they arrived in London, 75 miles south of Lexington, they found numerous vehicles lined up on the side of the road at Exit 49.

Mr Acciardo told reporters during a press conference: “When our first two units arrived on the scene, they said it was a madhouse: people on the side of the road, hazard lights on, bullet holes, windows shot out, nine vehicles with gunshot wounds. Can you imagine? Just chaos.”

Police blocked traffic in both directions because they did not know where the bullets came from, he added.

Authorities believe there was only one shooter, and Mr Acciardo said they did not believe the incident was sparked by road rage.

Officers from several law enforcement agencies searched a remote wooded area but eventually called off the search because of darkness. The search will resume at daybreak on Sunday, he said.

“We have cordoned off the area at the moment. The investigation is still very slow. Our people are still on site. Our special operations team is there. We are trying to find a shooter there,” added Mr Acciardo.

He noted that authorities have not yet determined whether Couch, of Woodbine, Kentucky, “is the person who fired the gun.”

Laurel County state lawmakers urged area residents to stay home while police continue to search for the shooter.

“Without a doubt, this is an act of senseless violence that does not reflect the values ​​of this community, our Commonwealth or its people,” it said in a statement.

In a video update on Facebook, London Mayor Randall Weddle sought to calm fears as the search for the gunman continues, urging residents to call 911 if they hear or see anything suspicious near their homes.

“We are asking people not to stand outside the house and shoot because we may have first responders in the area. It is important to know that you are safe. We have multiple agencies in this community, in the city of London and in Laurel County,” Mr. Weddle said.

Mr Weddle said police “know the approximate area where the person is located” but declined to give details.

Governor Andy Beshear said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our Department of Homeland Security – together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering any assistance we can.”

“Please pray for everyone involved.”