Crime
I-75 shooting in Kentucky was not road rage incident, suspect Joseph Couch still at large
Officials urge folks to stay home and keep their doors locked in northern Laurel County & southern Rockcastle County.
Laurel County authorities are intensifying their search for Joseph Couch, the suspect in a shooting incident on Interstate 75 that left five people injured.
Joseph Couch, the suspected shooter, had a Facebook profile that indicated he once served in the U.S. Army and worked as a 911 dispatcher.
His favorite quote was, “Only the dead can be at peace.”
Oddly, his most recent public post dates back to 2015.
According to his sister-in-law, Couch had previously made threats against family members, which she reported to the police.
The manhunt entered its second day on Sunday as law enforcement officers combed through a remote, wooded area near exit 49.
During the search, authorities discovered an AR-15 rifle and several loaded magazines in the vicinity of the shooting. Additionally, Couch’s vehicle, a silver SUV, was located off a forest service road.
A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office stated during a recent briefing that the shooting was a random act, unrelated to any altercation between drivers.
Sheriff’s Deputy Gilbert Acciardo described the search as challenging due to the rugged terrain and dense vegetation. He warned that Couch should be considered armed and dangerous, as he may have additional weapons.
While authorities believe Couch is still hiding in the woods, they are not ruling out the possibility of him having moved.
Acciardo confirmed that several area churches remained closed on Sunday as a precautionary measure.
Despite numerous reports of sightings, law enforcement has yet to apprehend Couch.
The suspect, who is believed to be the sole individual involved in the shooting, is described as 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing approximately 154 pounds.
Authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to 911.
Crime
18-year-old Kyler Naely charged for the murder in shooting death of 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams
An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged in a deadly shooting that occurred in October, which claimed the life of a 16-year-old and injured another.
The incident began on October 6, 2024, shortly after 12:45 a.m., when officers were called to a shooting on I-244 near Yale Avenue.
Upon arrival, they discovered a gray SUV riddled with bullet holes and shattered windows. Investigators determined that seven people were inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Two occupants of the vehicle suffered gunshot wounds.
One victim, 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams, sustained critical injuries and succumbed to them several weeks later. The other victim suffered a minor gunshot wound to the arm and survived.
Preliminary investigations revealed the incident was linked to a fight at the Tulsa State Fair earlier that evening.
Witnesses reported that the altercation, which occurred as the group was leaving the fairgrounds, likely escalated into the highway shooting.
Following an in-depth investigation, Tulsa Police Homicide Detectives identified 18-year-old Kyler Naely as the suspect responsible for the shooting.
On November 19, 2024, Naely was arrested, charged with first-degree murder, and booked into the Tulsa County Jail.
Authorities emphasize that the case remains under investigation and are urging anyone with additional information to contact Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS. Callers can remain anonymous.