Manhunt for Joseph Couch enters new phase

KENTUCKY (WKYT) - The manhunt for accused mass shooter Joseph Couch is entering a new phase.

Police say on September 7, Couch opened fire in Laurel County on I-75. Five people were shot and survived.

Governor Andy Beshear and Kentucky law enforcement leaders held a briefing Tuesday, the 11th day of the search for Couch, to update the public:

Beshear says they are adjusting the deployment of resources into the community because it provides a “better public safety outcome” rather than continuing the manhunt at current levels.

“We are reallocating resources because we believe it is necessary,” Gov. Beshear said. “The deployment of our resources into the community now provides a better public safety outcome, a better deterrent, than simply continuing the manhunt at its current levels.”

The manhunt has been stretching local agencies thin. We’re told more than 400 tips have been submitted to law enforcement, most of which have been outside the Daniel Boone National Forest. We’re told more than 28,000 acres of the forest have been searched.

“We know that bringing the boots on the ground from the forest into the communities will give the best reassurance to our citizens that if [Couch is] still out there, we are right here with you,” said Gov. Beshear.

Authorities say the search for Couch will continue; it will just look different, including more security at community and school events. Laurel County students returned to the classroom Tuesday for the first time since the shooting, with extra security in place.

“This is definitely not the normal Laurel County that we’re used to,” said Laurel County Sheriff John Root.

He says patrol efforts will continue around the community to prioritize safety while trying to bring a sense of normalcy.

“This is still an open and an active investigation,” said Sheriff Root. “We will work just as hard continuing down this path as we have from day one.”

Anyone with information is urged to continue providing it to law enforcement, including any tips that could lead the search back to the Daniel Boone National Forest.

This is a developing story.