Kentucky Highway Shooting Suspect Threatened to “Kill Many People,” Warrant States

The suspect in a Kentucky highway shooting has been linked to alarming text messages sent shortly before the attack, in which he threatened to “kill a lot of people.” Joseph Couch, 32, allegedly sent this message less than half an hour before he opened fire on Interstate 75, injuring five individuals, according to an arrest warrant.

Couch’s text read, “I’m going to kill a lot of people. Well try at least,” and he added in another message, “I’ll kill myself afterwards.” These messages were reportedly sent to his ex-wife, although the nature of their relationship is not detailed in the affidavit.

According to the affidavit from Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, a 911 dispatcher was contacted at 5:03 p.m. by the woman who received the threatening messages. This was just prior to the first report of gunfire around 5:30 p.m. However, police were not able to pinpoint Couch’s location until 6:53 p.m., nearly ninety minutes after the shootings commenced.

The charges against Couch include five counts each of attempted murder and first-degree assault. Law enforcement officials discovered Couch’s vehicle in a nearby area where they found a green duffel bag, ammunition, and numerous shell casings. A Colt AR-15 rifle, fitted with a site and several extra magazines, was also recovered; the bag bore his name written in black marker.

Search teams have been scouring thousands of rugged acres around the small city of London, Kentucky, approximately 75 miles south of Lexington. With treacherous conditions described as akin to “walking in a jungle,” state police are deploying troopers from various parts of Kentucky to assist in the operation. They are combatting dense brush, cliffs, and caves in pursuit of Couch.

Laurel County Sheriff John Root emphasized that their search efforts will not wane until Couch is apprehended. “We’re not going to quit until we do lay hands on him,” Root stated, echoing the determination felt by the community.

A $15,000 reward has been announced for information leading to Couch’s capture, combining contributions from Kentucky State Police and a private donor.

One of the shooting victims, Rebecca Puryear, shared her harrowing experience. She was shot in the chest and arm while driving home with her family. After a shock of gunfire, Puryear initially dismissed it until she realized she was injured and “gushing blood.” Her husband urged her to pull over, where she applied pressure to her wounds as he called for help. Thankfully, Puryear was recently discharged from the hospital but awaits further surgery.

“This man was out to kill, and he almost did,” Puryear declared, emphasizing how moments like these remind us of life’s fragility.

As the search for Couch continues into a fourth day, several school districts in southeastern Kentucky have closed their doors for safety. Parents express concern about the potential threat he poses, with local resident Donna Hess stating, “I’d be afraid he’d try to hijack the bus and take the kids as hostages.” The uncertainty surrounding Couch’s whereabouts compels many families in the area to rethink their safety measures.

Couch, who is reported to have lived in Woodbine, purchased an AR-15 and a staggering 1,000 rounds of ammunition just hours before the shooting incident, according to information from a local gun store. The indictment signifies a notable scrutiny of Kentucky’s gun laws, noted as some of the least restrictive in the nation, which lack a requirement for background checks during the purchase of firearms.

The U.S. Army has clarified that Couch served from 2013 to 2019 as a combat engineer, culminating his service as a private. While he does have military experience, authorities stress that it does not necessarily translate to survival skills in his current circumstances. The focus now is to leverage his resources against him.

Authorities disclosed that Couch fired between 20 to 30 rounds during the chaos, striking as many as 12 vehicles on the interstate. Witnesses like Christina DiNoto, who saw the shooting unfold, express heightened alarm knowing that he remains at large.

“To know that he’s still at large — that makes me nervous, honestly,” DiNoto remarked.