Neighbor discusses reported threat from suspect

KNOX COUNTY, Kentucky (WYMT) – The man being sought in southern Kentucky actually served a prison sentence earlier this year.

Joseph Couch was arrested after his neighbor obtained a warrant for his arrest.

A Knox County man said he had no problems with Couch when he moved into his home in Gray Township several years ago.

“He was a very quiet person,” said the man, who asked not to be identified. “As I said, before last February he had contact with us. He said 'hello.' Our children played with his children.”

The neighbor said something changed in February 2024. He said Couch threw a rock at his dog and became angry when confronted about it.

“The next thing I remember is him going into his house, coming out and seeing a man pointing an assault rifle at us and saying next time he would shoot us and the dog.”

An arrest warrant obtained by WYMT does not indicate that the gun was pointed at her, and a Knox County official said the charges would have been different if that had been stated.

Nevertheless, Couch was arrested and spent some time behind bars.

“Even after the threat to shoot me, I still tried to reconcile with him, still tried to be a neighbor to him, still tried to talk to him.”

The neighbor said Couch's behavior had worsened in recent months, leading to the situation on the highway.

“It shocked me to the core. I can't even speculate as to why he did what he did or what drove him to do what he did.”

The man said it was just an unfortunate situation for everyone and he also felt sorry for Couch's family, who also had to deal with the series of events.

Officials said the terroristic threat charge was later dropped because the victim failed to appear in court, but the neighbor said he was never notified of an upcoming court date.

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