A Kentucky man is currently at large after allegedly shooting five motorists on a rural highway on Saturday, with neighbors reporting that he had previously threatened multiple people in the neighborhood with his firearm. Joseph Couch, aged 32, was arrested for terroristic threatening on February 8th following an incident where he allegedly pointed a loaded AR-style rifle at a neighbor and their nine-year-old daughter.
The confrontation began when the neighbor went to Couch’s home in Gray, Kentucky, after Couch reportedly threw a rock at his family’s dog. In response to this complaint, Couch allegedly pointed the loaded firearm at the neighbor and their daughter. The charges were dismissed against Couch after the neighbor failed to appear in court, claiming that he was never informed of the court date.
Following the incident, three of the neighbor’s dogs were found dead on his property, including two that had been poisoned. The same neighbor stated that Couch has threatened multiple people with a firearm in the neighborhood, raising concerns over his mental health and potential for violence.
Another neighbor, Donald Causey, reported a similar experience where he claimed Couch pointed a rifle at him after walking too close to his property. Despite their previous good relationship, Causey did not contact the police about the incident but now regrets that decision in light of recent events.
Causey noticed a change in Couch’s behavior over time and felt he was struggling with mental health issues. The manhunt for Joseph Couch has been ongoing since Saturday, with searchers combing through thousands of acres of dense woods. Officials have increased the reward for information leading to his arrest to $35,000, stating that there is no indication that he has escaped the area.
The suspect is charged with five counts each of criminal attempt to commit murder and first-degree assault for the shootings, which wounded five people. Police believe Couch may have intended to kill himself after carrying out the attack, based on a text message he allegedly sent someone stating his goal was “to kill a lot of people.
Investigators are working diligently to apprehend Couch and bring him to justice for the attacks that left five motorists wounded. As the manhunt continues, concerns about the ease of access to firearms in Kentucky remain a topic of debate among local residents.
