Four of five victims of I-75 shooting released from hospital as manhunt for suspect continues

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT/Gray News) – All five victims of a shooting along Interstate 75 in Kentucky are expected to survive, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said.

Beshear spoke to media in Laurel County about the manhunt for Joseph Couch. Couch is wanted for shooting and wounding five people on I-75 in Laurel County on Saturday night.

Thursday marked the sixth day of the ongoing manhunt.

“This kind of thing shouldn’t happen, but it happens far too often,” Beshear said.

Besher confirmed that four of the five victims have already been discharged from the hospital and the fifth is “expected to survive.”

The five victims of the shooting are Rebecca Puryear, Norma Liberia, Renee Walker, Janet Booth and Erick Tavin. It was initially unclear which of the victims was still in the hospital.

During the press conference, Beshear took the time to thank those who searched for Couch.

“In each of these searches, they are putting their own lives at risk, and that’s why it’s so important that the search is conducted professionally and carefully, because we haven’t lost anyone yet,” Beshear said.

Beshear also expressed concern about national coverage of the shooting.

“There is nothing infamous or famous about such an act. It is just plain evil,” Beshear said. “There is no excuse for hatching a plan to take the lives of our fellow human beings and trying to kill as many as possible. You can and should be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”

He was also asked whether classes would resume in local schools despite the ongoing manhunt.

“We’re not going to divert resources from the search,” Beshear said. “We just want to make sure people are ready to try to get back to their daily lives… These could be my children, and I want an extra uniform out there. I want to know that a Commonwealth is taking care of them and making sure they’re safe.”

Beshear also specifically addressed the state as a whole.

“Know that your Commonwealth is here for you. We care about you, we will stand with you, both in the days after and in the days to come – and we will overcome this incident,” Beshear said.

Puryear’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support her recovery.

Police are still actively searching for Couch in wooded areas near I-75. He is described as 5’10” tall and 150 pounds.

The public is asked not to engage with the suspect and to contact police as he is still considered armed and dangerous.

A total reward of $35,000 has been offered for information leading to Couch’s arrest.

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