WASHINGTON — As the search for I-75 shooting suspect Joseph Couch continued for a fourth day Tuesday, Rep. Morgan McGarvey, D-Louisville, said lawmakers need to follow through on what he called “common sense gun reforms,” including universal background checks and an assault weapons ban.

“We offer our heartfelt condolences, our prayers,” said McGarvey. “This is frightening. It is something that we shouldn’t have to live with. This can’t ever become normal.”

Knox County court records show Couch was charged with third degree terroristic threatening in February after a man said Couch threatened to kill him and his dog.  

Records show the case was dismissed in March after the alleged victim failed to appear.

“You have a guy who was arrested and charged with terroristic threatening this year walk into a store, purchase an assault rifle and a thousand rounds of ammunition, walk out the same day and open fire on people,” said McGarvey. “That is a problem. It is wrong and we can do something about it if people have the political courage and will.”

London Mayor Randall Weddle told Spectrum News Tuesday the community has gone through a roller coaster of emotions, from frustration to fear.

“You don’t expect something like this to happen in your community,” said Weddle.

He praised the response from state and federal officials and said a team from the White House and Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., has offered support.

For now, Weddle said his focus is on capturing Couch and healing the community.

“Do I think that there’s a mental crisis in this nation? There obviously is,” he said. “There’s something that needs to be done, but as a mayor … right now, I want to focus on my community and the needs that it immediately has.”

In floor remarks Monday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called the violence “senseless” and said that his office had been in close contact with local law enforcement as they searched for Couch.