LONDON, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky., said Kentucky State Police and other agencies assisting with the search for suspected interstate shooting suspect, Joseph Couch, are reallocating resources out of the Daniel Boone National Forest and into the community.
While the search continues for Couch, Beshear added it is less likely they will find him compared to when the search started Sept. 7; however, there is an increased law enforcement presence in Laurel and Rockcastle counties in case Couch is found.
“In the beginning, the best way to provide safety was to locate most of our assets in the manhunt, hoping to find [Couch] to neutralize the threat,” Beshear said. “As that has become less and less likely, over the past several days, our best plan now is to augment law enforcement in this community to where people are.”
KSP Commissioner Col. Phillip Burnett Jr. said they’ve received more than 400 tips, the majority coming from outside of the forest. They’ve searched over 28,000 acres, which is less than 4% of the forest’s 708,000 acres. Beshear advised against camping in the forest and said resources such as cameras and aircraft will continue to be used.
Burnett Jr. said he does not consider the transition from the woods to the streets a “draw down” but a “reallocation.”
“We have looked at every possible scenario, we’ve looked at every piece of equipment, technology ... from what we have discovered in the search, this is the best plan moving forward,” Burnett Jr. said.
Many school districts have resumed in-person instruction over the last two days after several days of virtual learning. Laurel County Public Schools resumed in-person instruction Tuesday, Sept. 17 and administrators have worked with law enforcement agencies on the district’s reopening plan, including enhanced security for buses, school campuses and extracurricular activities such as sporting events. Each school has an increased police presence, said Bobby Day, assistant chief of London Police.
“We appreciate the support, trust and cooperation of our families and the community as we safely return to school,” the district said in a Sept. 16 message to families. “Laurel County Schools District administration and police department will continue communications with law enforcement and emergency agencies regarding the situation in our county.”
The multi-day search has caused KSP troopers and other deputies to suffer twisted ankles, cuts and blisters. The search initially began off Forest Service Road where police said they found Couch’s vehicle, and many law enforcement officers have spent days without seeing their family as they’ve been brought in from out of the area.
Beshear praised the work of law enforcement despite the toll it has taken on some officers.
“They’ve done their best; they’ve used the best technology that’s out there,” Beshear said. “They’ve brought in every resource: federal, state and local. And on day 11, we know that bringing the boots on the ground from the forest into the communities is going to give the best reassurance to our citizens that if he’s still out there, we are right here, with you, where you go to school, where you go to church, in the communities with a significantly enhanced presence.”
Couch, 32, is accused of shooting 12 vehicles and wounding five people near exit 49 Sept. 7 on Interstate 75. He fired 20 to 30 rounds in the attack and is charged with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of assault. A $35,000 reward has been offered for information on Couch.
“The goal is for the community even with it being kind of scary to get back to day-to-day life and the best way we make that transition is a saturation or even an oversaturation of law enforcement saying we’re here and we’re going to make sure you’re safe,” added Beshear.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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