Kentucky shooting suspect’s texts revealed as manhunt continues for the fourth day

According to his arrest warrant, the alleged highway shooter in Kentucky texted his intention to “kill a lot of people” less than half an hour before he opened fire on Saturday, injuring five people. “I plan to murder a large number of people. Joseph Couch, 32, wrote, “Well, try at least,” in a message he sent to an unnamed woman prior to the attack. He also added, according to the police file: “I’ll kill myself afterwards.”

According to the warrant, the woman reported the concerning communications to 911 and then provided police with screenshots of the text on Sunday morning, as reported by CBS News. Tuesday marked the start of Couch’s fourth day on the run after he allegedly opened fire on cars traveling on Interstate-75, around nine days ago. Tuesday marked the start of Couch’s fourth day on the run after it was reported that he opened fire on passing cars on Interstate-75, around nine miles north of London, Kentucky. Couch, according to the authorities, fired from a cliff edge close to Exit 49.

At a media briefing on Tuesday, Kentucky State Trooper Scottie Pennington gave the public the reassurance that authorities are “committed to resolving the situation as swiftly and safely as possible.” According to Pennington, investigators think Couch is still inside the national forest because there is no proof he departed. “This is a large area.This encompasses many acres,” he continued. According to police, the region is home to mountains, cliffs, and thick foliage, making it “very unforgiving terrain.”

Because of the fog and darkness in the woods, the state trooper stated, “time is crunched,” making the working environment for law enforcement difficult. In addition, he asked residents to “suspend your activities” in the area, including as paddling the Rockcastle River, riding ATVs, and going cocoon hunting. “Today is much hotter. I hope there’s no water on him. I’m hoping he’s not eating. “Hopefully, he’s exhausted and exits the forest,” Pennington remarked. Sheriff John Root of Laurel County stated that evidence had been gathered from his residence, but he would not provide any further information.

The Laurel County Sheriff’s Office reports that five persons were hospitalized with varied degrees of injury as a consequence of the shooting, which began at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Some victims were so badly hurt that they were driven directly to a nearby hospital by deputies as soon as they arrived on the scene. It is reported that the five victims are all in stable condition. Couch is regarded as “armed and dangerous,” so people are advised to stay away from him and to phone 911 if they see him.

London Laurel County Crime Stoppers, United Way of London, and an anonymous donor have pooled $25,000 to reward anyone who may offer information that leads to Couch’s arrest. An AR weapon was discovered on Sunday afternoon “in the vicinity” of the car and close to the I-75. Its owner attested to having obtained it lawfully. Sheriff Root stated on Sunday that it appears the shooter’s primary weapon was an AR-15. A number of school districts in Kentucky have shuttered, and some have switched to remote learning as the search for Couch continues.

While the manhunt is still ongoing, locals who live close to the shooting scene reported taking extra precautions. According to nearby homeowner Brandi Campbell, “We go upstairs and our doors stay locked, and the lights go off.” He added that Couch allegedly tossed a rock at his dog and brandished a revolver at him one day, seemingly without warning. The neighbor’s nine-year-old youngster witnessed the occurrence. The unidentified neighbor remarked, “I tried reasoning with him, but of course there was no reasoning with him.” “I went and got his arrest warrant. I suppose they would have told me when they picked him up. Never gave me any notice, not even a court date. After this man threatened my life and the life of my child with a gun, I wasn’t even informed that he had been released. Days later, the neighbor reported that his dog had passed away, but it’s unclear if the rock strike was the cause.