LONDON, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, and state and local law enforcement officials announced Tuesday they will be reallocating law enforcement officers searching for suspected Kentucky interstate shooter Joseph Couch.
Officials stressed there will not be any less police presence in the area. Instead, some officers will be moved from Daniel Boone National Forest, where Kentucky State Police set up a command post days ago, to Laurel County and surrounding communities.
Eleven days ago, police say Couch gained access to a ledge which bordered the vast forest overlooking I-75, fired down upon the busy interstate, and hit at least 12 cars and shot five people.
The shocking incident happened in Laurel County near London, Kentucky, about 75 miles south of Lexington.
"Eleven days ago, an act of violence and evil occurred where an individual believed to be Joseph Couch opened fire on Interstate 75 with the intent to kill as many people as possible," Beshear said. "But evil did not prevail that day."
None of the victims were killed, but some sustained serious injuries. One person was shot in the face.
Investigators believe Couch purchased the AR-15 just hours before opening fire on several unsuspecting victims their the cars down the interstate.
Less than 30 minutes before the shooting, the Laurel County Sheriff's Office received a tip about a text Couch sent saying he would "kill a lot of people."
Over 230 police personnel have used surveillance, intelligence, ATVs, moving patrols, nighttime aircrafts with thermal imaging and cadaver canines to find Couch. The FBI also brought in a bloodhound team from Illinois and the U.S. National Guard manned Blackhawk helicopters to assist in search efforts.
Thus far, the primary search area for Couch has focused on parts of Daniel Boone National Forest, a densely-wooded section of rugged terrain that has proven difficult to search. Despite the difficulties, law enforcement have managed to search over 28,000 acres of the forest.
Though Couch is still considered a potential threat to the community, Beshear said during a news conference on Tuesday the odds of finding him in the forest are becoming less and less, and protecting the surrounding community takes precedence.
“In the beginning, the best way to find the suspect was in the forest. As that has become less likely over the past several days, our best plan to provide safety now is to augment law enforcement in this community to where our people are,” Beshear said. “Beginning this afternoon, we will begin transitioning state and local law enforcement agencies from a manhunt to a larger presence in the community. We stand united in this approach and our commitment to protect people of this region.”
Law enforcement officials say that due to the lack of evidence collected in the forest, they feel their efforts will be better allocated to protecting nearby people in their communities.
"I'd like to report that we do not have any specific evidence or any details that has led us any closer to his apprehension at this time," said Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett.
KSP, FBI and Laurel County police have received over 400 tips, the majority of which occurred outside the forest. Officials say if there is a sighting of Couch inside the forest, either by a person or by surveillance cameras, they will shift their resources back to the forest.
However, until then the focus of law enforcement will be on community members.
Instead of patrolling Daniel Boone National Forest, many officers will be stationed at nearby schools, bus routes, hospitals, businesses, daycares, residences, churches and other locations. In Laurel County, there is an armed, uniformed officer at every school.
"Our number one priority is the safety of the residents and our children in this county," said Laurel County Sheriff John Root.
When asked if he believes Couch is still alive, Beshear said it's becoming less likely he's alive, however he wouldn't suggest camping in Daniel Boone National Forest for the time being.
"With the evidence right now, I don't think you can definitively say he's still in the forest, he's outside of the forest or that he's still alive," Beshear said. "We're still conducting a manhunt and I'd ask everyone to be really careful. This is me personally as a dad, I'm not sure I would want my family camping in that area right now."
Beshear also had a message for anyone considering committing a similar act as the one Couch is accused of.
"I think it's really important at the end of this that the story closes with Joseph Couch not having killed anyone," Beshear said. "Sure he tried, he committed an act of evil, but between our first responders, between law enforcement, we prevented him from succeeding. I think that's important and it would be an important example for anyone else who ever considers doing something this evil and this terrible again that we will do everything we can to stop you."
Beshear ended the news conference on Tuesday by giving the Laurel County community reassurance.
"We are still here, we’re just making sure we’re bringing more of our law enforcement to the people," Beshear said. "We’re not going anywhere, we're gonna make sure we have this reallocation done right to protect this and the surrounding communities."
KSP continues to encourage anyone with information on the whereabouts of Couch – described as being 5-foot-10 and weighing 154 pounds and who is considered armed and dangerous – to call any of the following law enforcement agencies:
- KSP Post 11 London: 606-878-6622
- Crime Stoppers: 606-682-1013
- County Communication: 606-878-7000
- Laurel County Sheriff's Office: 606-864-6600
Laurel County Crime Stoppers is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to Couch’s arrest. Anonymous donors have provided additional funds for a total reward of $35,000.