Crime
Video shows moments I-75 Shooting Suspect Joseph Couch Found Dead Near Exit 49
UPDATE: Kentucky State Police (KSP) is confident that the body discovered this afternoon is that of Joseph Couch, the suspect in the recent shooting incident on Interstate 75.
Articles found near the remains led investigators to this conclusion. Sheila and Fred McCoy, who had been actively assisting in the search efforts, are credited with their invaluable contribution.
While the positive identification is highly probable, officials are still awaiting the results of DNA testing for definitive confirmation.
ORIGINAL REPORT:
YouTubers Hatfield McCoy Adventures discovered a body while searching for Joseph Couch in a heavily wooded area near Exit 49 in Laurel County. The couple, who were live-streaming their search, found the heavily decomposed remains. Detectives are now working to identify the body.
The couple was drawn to the area by the presence of circling vultures. Vultures are known to gather above animals or humans that are sick, wounded, or dying, waiting for them to perish before feeding.
A body suspect Joseph Couch has been discovered in the area of the I-75 mass shooting in Laurel County, Kentucky.
Kentucky State Police found the remains near Exit 49 and are currently working to identify the deceased individual.
The body’s discovery comes a week after Joseph Couch opened fire on I-75 near Exit 49, injuring five people.
Authorities have been actively searching for Couch since the incident.
This latest development follows a recent announcement by Governor Andy Beshear and Kentucky law enforcement leaders regarding a reallocation of resources to the community. The extensive manhunt had placed a significant strain on local agencies.
Hundreds of tips have been received by law enforcement, and over 28,000 acres of the Daniel Boone National Forest have been searched in the effort to locate Couch.
Authorities have identified the suspect in Thursday’s deadly shooting at Florida State University (FSU) as 20-year-old Phoenix Ikner, the son of longtime Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Jessica Ikner.
During an afternoon press conference, FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower confirmed that Phoenix Ikner was responsible for opening fire near the university’s Student Union Building, killing two individuals and injuring six others.
The incident unfolded around 11:50 a.m. on April 17, when the gunman began shooting on the university’s main campus in Tallahassee.
“FSU police responded immediately, engaged, neutralized, and apprehended the shooter,” Trumbower said. Ikner, believed to be an FSU student, was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital following the incident.
Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell detailed the law enforcement response, stating that officers confronted Ikner and opened fire when he failed to comply with commands.
He was subsequently subdued and taken for medical treatment.
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil confirmed that the suspect is the son of Deputy Jessica Ikner, a veteran of the department with over 18 years of service.
“She has performed her duties with distinction,” McNeil stated, expressing support for Deputy Ikner during what he described as a devastating moment for her and the department.
Investigators revealed that the weapon used in the shooting was a handgun previously issued to Deputy Ikner before she transitioned to a new service weapon.
It was reportedly her personal firearm. Authorities also found a shotgun in Ikner’s possession at the scene, though it remains unclear whether it was discharged during the attack.
“We are continuing to investigate the role each weapon may have played and whether the suspect had access to additional firearms,” McNeil said.
Chief Revell added that Phoenix Ikner had been a “long-standing member” of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Youth Advisory Council and had participated in several law enforcement-related programs over the years.
“It’s not surprising to us that he had some level of access to firearms given his history within the agency’s youth programs,” Revell stated.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Authorities noted that Ikner has so far refused to cooperate with investigators or provide any explanation for his actions.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is assisting in the investigation and has requested that anyone who witnessed the shooting or has relevant information or media uploads related to the incident submit tips through their official website at www.fbi.gov/fsushooting.
FSU remains under heightened security as law enforcement continues to process the scene and gather evidence.