White House weighs in on I-75 shootings, urges Kentuckians to ‘remain vigilant’

As the search continues for the Kentucky man charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at cars on Interstate 75 over the weekend, White House officials urged southern Kentuckians to remain vigilant.

Joseph A. Couch, 32, was charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault for allegedly shooting at cars on Interstate 75 on Sunday, according to Commonwealth’s Attorney Jackie Steele, a Laurel County felony prosecutor. Five people were seriously injured as a result of the shooting.

As of Monday afternoon, Couch had not yet been located, and the search continued as authorities combed the rugged, wooded terrain of Laurel County. The shooting happened about 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Lexington on one of the nation’s busiest north-south highways.

“We pray for those injured and wish them a speedy recovery,” Karine Jean-Pierre, press secretary for President Joseph Biden, said Monday during a White House briefing. “The president was briefed over the weekend and he urges residents to remain vigilant and listen to local officials.”

What We Know About the I-75 Shootings in Kentucky

Police say Couch opened fire on 12 cars on I-75 around 5:30 p.m. Saturday from a vantage point on a hill overlooking the busy highway in northern Laurel County. Shortly before the shooting, Couch texted his ex-wife, saying, “I’m going to kill a lot of people,” according to affidavits released Monday. Couch’s ex-wife then contacted police.

Four of the victims were taken to hospital, while the fifth victim took himself to hospital for treatment, according to the affidavit. State, local and federal authorities are all involved in the search, Kentucky State Police said Monday.

“The administration is in contact with local authorities and federal law enforcement is supporting the local investigation and efforts to apprehend the suspects,” Jean-Pierre said.

Police have not released information about a motive for the shooting and said they do not believe Couch was targeting anyone in particular. They recovered his vehicle and the AR-15 assault rifle they believe was likely used in the shooting. Police have been searching for Couch in the heavily wooded area near the highway since Saturday night.

On Monday, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said he and his office were in contact with law enforcement as the search for Couch continues, and that he was grateful for their “swift efforts to protect surrounding communities.”

“We pray for those who have been injured in this senseless violence,” McConnell said.

Journalist David Catanese contributed to this article.