Kentucky police hunt gunman in I-75 highway shooting, 'It's a big task ... ': What we know so far

Kentucky police are intensifying a manhunt for a suspected gunman who opened fire on vehicles traveling along a rural stretch of Interstate 75 on Saturday, injuring five people. The search is centered on a remote, heavily wooded area near the city of London, Kentucky, roughly 8 miles (12.9 km) away, where authorities believe the suspect is contained.

Joseph Couch, 32, has been named as a suspect after a car registered to him was found near the scene. A rifle case and an AR-style rifle were recovered from the vehicle, according to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office. The terrain has made the search more challenging, with federal, state, and local authorities using a helicopter and drone with infrared technology to aid in the effort.

"That's probably one of the most remote exits on I-75," Deputy Gilbert Acciardo of the Laurel County Sheriff's Office explained, underscoring the difficulty of the operation. "It's a big task. We want to get him before it gets dark again."

The shooting unfolded around 5:30 pm on Saturday when shots were fired from a hillside overlooking the highway. Several vehicles were hit, leading to chaotic scenes with bullet-riddled cars along the roadside. In total, nine vehicles were struck, and five victims are reported to be in stable condition despite some serious injuries, including one person shot in the face.

London, Kentucky, Mayor Randall Weddle has urged residents to avoid the area. "Stay home. Let the first responders do their jobs," he emphasized during a press briefing.

Laurel County public schools canceled Monday classes out of caution as the manhunt continues. Authorities have yet to determine a motive for the attack.