This image released by the Mount Vernon Fire Department shows traffic stopped during an active shooting on Interstate 75 north of London, Ky on Saturday (September 7, 2024).
| Photo Credit: AP

“Multiple people were shot Saturday (September 7, 2024) along Interstate 75 in a rural area of southeastern Kentucky,” authorities said.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook that it was an “active shooter situation” and “numerous persons” were shot near the highway. It added that the interstate was closed 9 miles north of London.

In a video statement, London Mayor Randall Weddle said he was told seven people were hurt, but not all of those were wounded by gunfire. “Some of the victims were injured in a vehicle accident,” he said.

“There are no deceased at this time. No one was killed from this, thankfully, but we ask that you continue to pray,” Mr. Weddle said.

The Sheriff’s office also announced that a “Person of Interest” has been identified in connection with the shooting, saying he should be considered armed and dangerous and people should not approach him. The man’s name was given as Joseph A. Couch, a 32-year-old white male, and anyone with information about his location was urged to call the county 911 center.

A “heavy presence of police and fire personnel” was on the scene and “working diligently to address the situation,” the Mount Vernon Fire Department said in a statement. It advised motorists to avoid I-75 and US 25.

“I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our Office of Homeland Security — together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible,” Governor Andy Beshear said in a post on the social platform X (formerly Twitter). “Please pray for everyone involved.”

“We will provide more details once they are available,” Mr. Beshear said.

London is a a small city with a population of about 8,000 located about 75 miles (120 miles) south of Lexington.

Washington, United States:

Kentucky police reported an “active shooter situation” on Saturday evening near Interstate-75 in London, Kentucky, where “numerous persons” have been shot in traffic. The incident began just before 6 pm (1000 GMT) about nine miles outside of London, when officers were called for reports of multiple vehicles being fired at on Interstate 75 in Laurel County, multiple media accounts said. The shots were reportedly coming from a wooded area or an overpass.

How many were shot and the nature of the injuries was not immediately clear. Police officials said the suspect had not been caught.

“The below individual, Joseph A Couch, is a Person of Interest in the shooting that occurred at the Exit 49/KY-909 area. If you have any information regarding the whereabouts or location of this individual, please contact the London-Laurel County 911 Center by calling 911 or 606-878-7000.  ***DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPROACH***. Joseph A Couch is a 32-year-old white male approximately 5’10 weighing approximately 154lbs,” police said.

“Please avoid I-75 around Ext 49. Until further notice! Use alternative route do not be any where in that area,” London Mayor Randall Weddle said on Facebook.

Kentucky state Trooper Scottie Pennington wrote on Facebook, “The suspect has not been caught at this time and we are urging people to stay inside.”

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear wrote on X: “Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County. Please avoid the area. We will provide more details once they are available.”

He also asked that residents, “Please pray for everyone involved.”

Agents, from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been called in to assist the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement, the agency posted on X, calling it a “critical incident.”

London is a small city of about 8,000 residents near the Daniel Boone National Forest, about 90 miles south of Lexington.

This shooting comes just days after a mass shooting at a Winder, Georgia high school that saw two teachers and two students killed and nine others wounded.

Washington:

Four people were killed and three others injured in a shooting at a home in Kentucky in the US on Saturday, police said. According to the Florence Police Department, four individuals were declared dead at the location, while three others were taken to a nearby hospital and are currently in critical but stable condition.

Officers responded to the residence at nearly 3 am on Saturday and as they approached the home, they still heard shots being fired, Police Chief Jeff Mallery said at a press conference. People were attending a birthday pool party at that time.

The suspect, described as an adult male, fled the scene in a vehicle prior to police arrival, leading to a police chase. The suspect then drove off the road and crashed into a ditch. Law enforcement found the suspect with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, Xinhua news agency reported.

Party attendees recognised the suspect and provided his identity to the police. According to Mallery, he had a prior conviction for a sexual offence, though it does not appear to be connected to the shooting.

Officials said that an initial investigation indicated the suspect acted alone, and there was no danger to the public.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)