Kentucky
What We Know So Far About the Kentucky Shooter, Still On the Loose
Authorities in Laurel County, Kentucky, are on their third day in the pursuit of Joseph A. Couch, 32, who is the lead suspect in Saturday’s shooting that injured five and shut down I-75 for three hours.
Couch reportedly fired a total of 20 to 30 rounds into both south- and northbound lanes of the interstate, hitting up to 12 cars and causing numerous collisions. On Sunday, London, Kentucky, mayor Randle Weddle told The Courier Journal that there were no fatalities but that all injured victims were in the hospital.
What happened in Laurel County on Saturday?
Around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, authorities responded to calls of an active shooter on I-75, near Exit 49 in Laurel County. According to police, Couch is believed to have been firing from a hillside that overlooked the congested road. Earlier that morning, authorities say that Couch legally purchased an AR-15 rifle and up to 1,000 rounds of ammunition in London, Kentucky, a city eight miles from Exit 49, which has a population of 7,600 and sits 75 miles south of Lexington.
Later that Saturday, authorities recovered Couch’s SUV on a service road near the scene, and on Sunday later retrieved the weapon from a wooded area, which they believe is the location from which he shot into the interstate.
Deputy Gilbert Acciardo, a spokesman for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, told The Courier Journal that as of Sunday, all five victims are in stable condition and are expected to survive. Acciardo reported that of the five victims shot, one was shot in the face, another in the arm, and another in the chest.
Who is Joseph A. Couch?
Joseph A. Couch is a 32-year-old Kentucky native who, according to WKYT-TV, served six years in the Army reserve (some outlets had previously reported he was in the National Guard). The Laurel County sheriff’s office described him to be about 5-foot-10-inches tall and weighing around 154 pounds. Couch’s most recent address was reported to be in Woodbine, Kentucky, 20 miles south of the scene.
In February of this year, Couch was charged with terroristic threatening in Knox County after threatening his neighbor with an “AR.” The charges were later dropped.
According to authorities, Couch didn’t seem to have a particular target in mind, although they believe he strategically picked the location. The area’s rocky terrain, which is reportedly difficult to navigate, seemingly aided in his getaway, making the search difficult due to what authorities described as “walking in a jungle” because of the need for machetes to cut through the woods.
Couch is charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of first-degree assault. According to the Lexington Herald Leader, police can possibly charge him with wanton endangerment and criminal mischief for shooting into the cars of the people who were not hurt.
What’s next in the search for the alleged Kentucky shooter?
With authorities on their third day of searching, Kentucky State Police master trooper Scottie Pennington told local stations it was their recommendation for residents to stay in the house, keep their porch lights on, and monitor any security devices they may have.
School districts in the area canceled school on Monday to ensure the safety and protection of students and staff. Rolling Stone requested information from the Laurel County Board of Education on whether school will resume tomorrow. An employee from the district, who declined to share their name and title, said that the decision was pending and will be announced on Facebook.
Mayor Weddle has encouraged anyone with information to call the authorities with tips and told local news station WKYT-TV that a private donor is offering to pay $10,000 in reward for any information that leads to Couch’s arrest. Kentucky State Police are offering an additional $5,000, bringing the reward total to $15,000.
Kentucky
Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in backyard
A Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using abortion pills and burying the fetus in a Christmas-wrapped lightbulb box in her backyard — when she got pregnant following an affair.
Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested Wednesday after going to a Campton health care clinic, where she told staff members she used medication purchased online to end her pregnancy, which is illegal in the state, according to Kentucky State Police, FOX 56 reported.
Police said Spencer allegedly admitted to taking the pills on Dec. 26 and burying the fetus — described as a “developed male infant” — two days later in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road home.
After obtaining a search warrant, cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag, court documents showed.
Spencer later confessed that she allegedly ordered the pregnancy-ending drugs after conceiving with a man who was not her boyfriend, claiming she didn’t want him to find out, police said, per the outlet.
Authorities said she wanted to “abort the fetus on her own.”
It’s unclear how long she was pregnant before taking the pills.
An autopsy has reportedly been scheduled to establish how developed the fetus was.
In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are illegal, with a doctor only authorized to perform one to prevent death or serious injury to the mother.
There are no exceptions for rape or incest.
State law also bars the distribution of abortion medication.
Spencer was charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree promoting contraband, the outlet reported.
The homicide offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. She also faces life behind bars if convicted.
Spencer is being held at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.
Kentucky
Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.
Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.
Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.
“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.
After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.
Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.
“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.
No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.
Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.
“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.
Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.
Copyright 2025 WKYT. All rights reserved.
Kentucky
3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County
GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.
“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.
According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.
NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.
Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.
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