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Search for suspect in Kentucky highway shooting continues

The search continues on the ground and in the air for the suspected gunman believed to have shot and killed five people on the highway in rural Kentucky over the weekend. The U.S. Marshal's Office and FBI are now helping to find 32-year-old Joseph Couch. Emergency responders have focused their efforts near Exit 49 on I-75, not far from the Daniel Boone National Forest.Here are the latest updates on what we know about the search.The shootingFive people were seriously injured when shots rang out along Interstate 75 Saturday night.Laurel County Sheriff John Root described the chaotic scene when first responders arrived around 6 p.m., saying cars were lying on the side of the road with their windows shot out and people were seriously injured.The Sheriff's Office says Couch sprayed nine cars with bullets, hitting five people. Investigators believe Couch opened fire from three different vantage points along a ridge overlooking I-75. Officials confirmed that one of the five victims was shot in the face, another in the arm and a woman in the chest. “These were very significant, very serious injuries, I don't want to downplay that,” officials said. NBC affiliate WLEX reports that one of the victims has been released from the hospital and two others are in good condition. The search for a suspectOn Saturday, the manhunt began for 32-year-old Joseph Couch, who was initially considered a “person of interest.” Authorities say they found Couch's silver Toyota SUV on Saturday night and on Sunday recovered an AR-15 that Couch allegedly used in the shooting, along with a thousand rounds of ammunition. Investigators say Couch purchased the gun legally, along with 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Officials said Couch has a military past and served at least four years in the Army Reserve. On Sunday, Couch was upgraded from a “person of interest” to a suspect. He is considered armed and dangerous. Officials believe he fled into the wooded area near the highway. In an update Tuesday, Kentucky State Police said they are searching thousands of acres in the Daniel Boone National Forest to find Couch. There is currently no evidence that Couch has left the woods, Trooper Scottie Pennington said, so they will continue their search as long as necessary. “I hope he is exhausted and will run out of those woods at some point,” Pennington said. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is using its resources to help with the search. Pennington said they have received many tips on the investigation they are conducting. “We will stay there until we find him, until things lead us in a different direction,” Pennington said. Residents in dangerSchools in the area were closed Monday out of an abundance of caution while officers continued their search for Couch. They will remain closed Tuesday.KSP advises residents to be cautious, be aware of their surroundings and, if possible, check on neighbors and check Ring cameras for anything suspicious. “Stay strong. Please take care of your fellow man,” Pennington said.Affidavit reveals chilling text messagesInvestigators in Laurel County have filed attempted murder charges against Couch. According to an affidavit supporting the charges, Couch allegedly sent a woman a text message on Saturday before the shooting that said, in part, “I'm going to kill a lot of people. Well, let's at least try.” He then allegedly sent another text that said, in part, “I'm going to kill myself after this.” The message was sent at 5:03 p.m. Saturday, according to the affidavit. The document states that after the woman received the message, she notified police to warn them about Couch. A motive for the shooting is not yet clear — but the sheriff says this is not a case of road rage. Officials said they received no information that led them to believe anyone else besides Couch might be involved. Investigators said while it was believed to be a planned attack, they believe none of the travelers struck by bullets were targeted. The Laurel County Sheriff said officers went to Couch's home and collected evidence, but could not provide further details on what exactly was collected. Reward for information In an update Tuesday, officials said a $10,000 donation from the United Way of London increased the reward to $25,000 for information leading to Couch's arrest. Kentucky State Police offered a $5,000 reward and a private donor also offered $10,000 to contribute to the reward.

The search for the suspected gunman who shot five people on a highway in rural Kentucky over the weekend continues on the ground and in the air.

The US Marshal's Office and the FBI are now helping in the search for 32-year-old Joseph Couch.

Emergency crews concentrated their efforts near Exit 49 on I-75, not far from the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Here are the latest updates on what we know about Search.

The filming

Five people were seriously injured on Saturday evening when shots were fired along Interstate 75.

Laurel County Sheriff John Root described the chaotic scene when emergency crews arrived around 6 p.m. Cars were lying on the side of the road with their windows shot out and people were seriously injured.

The sheriff's office says Couch sprayed nine cars with bullets, hitting five people. Investigators believe Couch opened fire from three different locations along a hill overlooking I-75.

Officials confirmed that one of the five victims was shot in the face, another was shot in the arm and a woman was shot in the chest.

“These were very significant, very serious injuries, I don't want to downplay that,” the officials said.

NBC affiliate WLEX reports that one of the victims has left the hospital and two others are in good condition.

The search for a suspect

On Saturday, the manhunt began for 32-year-old Joseph Couch, who was initially considered a “person of interest.”

Authorities said they found Couch's silver Toyota SUV on Saturday night and on Sunday seized an AR-15 that Couch allegedly used in the shooting, along with a thousand rounds of ammunition.

Laurel County Sheriff's Office

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Laurel County Sheriff's Office

Investigators believe Couch legally purchased the gun along with 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

According to officials, Couch has a military background and served in the Army Reserve for at least four years.

On Sunday, Couch was upgraded from a “person of interest” to a suspect.

He is considered armed and dangerous. Officials assume that he fled into the wooded area near the highway.

In an update Tuesday, Kentucky State Police said they are searching thousands of acres of the Daniel Boone National Forest to find Couch. There is currently no evidence that Couch has left the forest, Trooper Scottie Pennington said, so the search will continue as long as necessary.

“I hope he's exhausted and will eventually leave this forest,” Pennington said.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is using its resources to assist in the search.

Pennington said they have received many tips related to the investigation they are currently working on.

“We'll stay there until we find him or things take us in a different direction,” Pennington said.

Residents are nervous

Schools in the area were closed Monday out of an abundance of caution while officials continued their search for Couch. They will remain closed Tuesday.

KSP advises residents in the area to be cautious, be aware of their surroundings, check on neighbors when possible, and check Ring cameras for anything suspicious.

“Stay strong. Please take care of your fellow human beings,” Pennington said.

Affidavit reveals shocking texts

Investigators in Laurel County have charged Couch with attempted murder. According to an affidavit supporting the charges, Couch allegedly sent a woman a text message on the Saturday before the shooting that said, in part, “I'm going to kill a lot of people. Well, at least I'm trying.” He then allegedly sent another text that said, in part, “I'm going to kill myself after this.”

According to the affidavit, the message was sent at 5:03 p.m. on Saturday. The document states that after the woman received the message, she notified police to warn them about the couch.

The motive for the shooting is still unclear, but the sheriff says it is not a case of road rage. Officials said they have not received any information that leads them to believe anyone else besides Couch may have been involved. Investigators said while it appears to have been a planned attack, they believe none of the travelers struck by bullets were specifically targeted.

The Laurel County sheriff said officers went to Couch's home and collected evidence, but could not provide details on what was collected.

Reward for information

In an update Tuesday, officials said the reward for information leading to Couch's arrest had increased to $25,000 thanks to a $10,000 donation from the United Way of London.

The Kentucky State Police offered a reward of $5,000 and a private donor offered to contribute $10,000 to the reward.

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