Schools reopen in a Kentucky county where a gunman wounded 5 on an interstate highway

The Associated Press

Schools reopened with extra security on Tuesday in the rural Kentucky county where a gunman who remains at large opened fire on an interstate highway, hitting a dozen vehicles and wounding five people.
As authorities continue searching for the shooter, public schools in Laurel County were in session for the first time since the assailant sprayed bullets onto Interstate 75 on Sept. 7.
School administrators in Laurel County worked with law enforcement agencies on the district’s reopening plan, which provides enhanced security for buses, school campuses and extra-curricular activities.
Police increased patrols along most rural bus routes in the southeastern Kentucky school district, administrators said in a message on the district’s website.
Law enforcement bolstered its presence to monitor each school campus, and patrols were increased for after-school events.
The area where Couch is presumed to be hiding has cliff beds, sinkholes, caves and dense brush.
The day after the shooting, law enforcement officers searched an area near where Couch’s vehicle was found, with a view of I-75.
A short distance away, they found an AR-15 rifle with a sight mounted to the weapon and several additional magazines.
Shortly before the shooting, Couch wrote in a text message: “I’m going to kill a lot of people.
Well try at least.” In a separate text message, Couch wrote, “I’ll kill myself afterwards.” The messages were revealed in the affidavit.

POSITIVE

Tuesday saw the reopening of schools in the rural Kentucky county where a gunman who is still at large opened fire on an interstate highway, injuring five people and damaging twelve vehicles.

For the first time since the attacker sprayed bullets onto Interstate 75 on September 22, public schools in Laurel County were in session while authorities continued their hunt for the gunman. 7. . Near London, a town of about 8,000 people located about 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Lexington, there is a rough, forested area where searchers have concentrated their efforts in an attempt to find Joseph Couch, 32, the suspected gunman.

Laurel County school administrators collaborated with law enforcement to develop the district’s reopening plan, which includes increased security for extracurricular activities, buses, and school campuses.

A message posted on the district website stated that police have stepped up their patrols along the majority of the rural bus routes in the southeastern Kentucky school district. It was recommended that parents try to keep their kids inside until the bus comes. The presence of law enforcement was reinforced to keep an eye on every school campus, and patrols were stepped up for after-school activities.

The district stated in its statement, “As we safely return to school, we appreciate the support, trust, and cooperation of our families and the community.”.

After the shooting, many students switched to online instruction for a few days.

As searchers attempt to locate the suspect, police have asked locals to remain alert and watch out for their neighbors. There are caves, sinkholes, cliff beds, and thick undergrowth in the area where Couch is thought to be hiding.

Law enforcement officers looked in the vicinity of Couch’s car, which was discovered with a view of Interstate 75, the day following the shooting. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, the authorities discovered spent shell casings, ammunition, and an Army-style duffel bag there.

They discovered an AR-15 rifle with a sight mounted on the weapon and multiple extra magazines not too far away. In a black marker, “Couch” was handwritten on the duffel bag. Investigators stated that Couch fired between 20 and 30 rounds during the attack.

Couch texted, “I’m going to kill a lot of people,” just before the shooting started. Try, at least. Couch also texted someone else, saying, “I’ll kill myself afterwards.”. The affidavit made the messages clear.

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