CNN obtains audio of police questioning school shooting suspect in 2021
CNN has obtained audio recordings of police questioning the suspect involved in a school shooting incident that occurred in 2021. The recordings shed light on the intense interrogation carried out by law enforcement officials. The suspect’s responses during the questioning provide crucial insights into their state of mind and potential motivations behind the tragic event. The audio recordings offer a glimpse into the investigation process and the efforts made by authorities to gather information and uncover the truth surrounding the devastating incident.
According to the sheriff’s office, authorities are pursuing a suspect in a widespread manhunt for the Saturday shooting that left five people injured close to a rural stretch of interstate in Laurel County, Kentucky, just south of Lexington.
Public Affairs Deputy Gilbert Acciardo of the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office told CNN that all five victims are said to be in stable condition, but that the hunt is still on for the person thought to be the lone shooter.
Nine miles north of London, Kentucky, the incident took place near Interstate 75, where the sheriff’s office reported that “multiple individuals had been shot.”
When deputies arrived, they found that gunshots had injured nine vehicles along the interstate’s southbound and northbound lanes. According to Acciardo, all five victims were shot. This was confirmed to CNN.
Joseph A. Couch, aged 32, has been named by the London Police Department as a person of interest in the ongoing investigation. They characterize him as “armed and dangerous.” Couch is a male White individual who weighs around 154 pounds and is about 5 feet 10 inches tall, according to the police.
In a video update on Saturday night, London Mayor Randall Weddle stated, “We have a general idea of where this individual is located,” but he declined to provide any other details.
Lexington is located around 80 miles to the south of London, Kentucky.
Couch’s whereabouts are unknown, therefore, the local police department has asked anyone with information to get in touch with their 911 call center right away.
Trooper Scottie Pennington of the Kentucky State Police shared that the culprit “remains at large” through social media. Law enforcement will provide “more updates as they become available,” he said, urging people to stay inside.
The Mount Vernon Fire Department reports that after the incident, Interstate 75 was reopened on Saturday evening. The route had been stopped for about three hours in both directions between exit 41 and exit 59.
Furthermore, a statement from Louisville’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives confirmed that its personnel were supporting Kentucky State Police and local authorities in handling this “critical incident” close to the highway.
Mayor Weddle further mentioned that the culprit is being sought after in “rugged terrain and dense tree lines,” which may cause the search to move more slowly.cited approximately eight o’clock in a Facebook video update.
A line of stopped cars can be seen in a photograph published by the Mount Vernon Fire Department on Saturday, September 7, 2024, during an active shooting on Interstate 75, just north of London, Kentucky. The disorder that resulted from the police search for the gunman is reflected in the scene.
Residents were asked to exercise caution and maintain awareness of their surroundings by Mayor Randall Weddle. “Keep your doors locked if you’re at home. I’m not urging people to panic. Although there isn’t a direct threat within the city, Weddle urged everyone to exercise caution because this person or people are still at large.
Weddle underlined, “Please don’t go out firing your weapon if you hear any unusual noises outside.” First responders or our cops could be in the area. Rather, call 911.
This This violent outburst happened less than a week after a spree shooter wounded many drivers along an interstate in the Seattle region, and just days after a mass shooting at a high school in Winder, Georgia, left four people dead and nine injured.
In a previous post on X (previously Twitter), Governor Andy Beshear addressed the problem by saying, “Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting incident on I-75 in Laurel County.” Near exit 49, law enforcement has blocked traffic on the interstate in both directions. Please don’t enter the area. We’ll share further information as it becomes available.”
“We are actively monitoring the situation together and providing support in every way we can,” he went on. Kindly remember those concerned in your prayers.”
Christina DiNoto was one witness, who was in route to Knoxville, Tennessee, from Rochester, New York, with a friend. She told CNN about her experience during the massacre. DiNoto reported hearing a frightening “loud noise” upon arriving in London.
“It seemed like a rock smashed through my back window when we were just driving. Even my ear hurt from it,” DiNoto said. “We exchanged glances and wondered if there had been a gunshot. but then persuaded ourselves that it wasn’t.
DiNoto added that at first she thought it might have been a tire rupture because a truck next to them slowed down and pulled over to the shoulder. She saw a lot of tires strewn all over the road and police cars zooming by.
Not until an hour and a half later was in route to Knoxville, Tennessee, from Rochester, New York, with a friend. She told CNN about her experience during the massacre. DiNoto reported hearing a frightening “loud noise” upon arriving in London.
“It seemed like a rock smashed through my back window when we were just driving. Even my ear hurt from it,” DiNoto said. “We exchanged glances and wondered if there had been a gunshot. but then persuaded ourselves that it wasn’t.
DiNoto added that at first she thought it might have been a tire rupture because a truck next to them slowed down and pulled over to the shoulder. She saw a lot of tires strewn all over the road and police cars zooming by.
Not until an hour and a half later that DiNoto and her companion understood how serious the situation was. They saw what looked like paint splatters on the back of her car when they got to a friend’s house.
“My hands are still trembling,” DiNoto remarked, expressing gratitude for her safe escape.
Updates on this developing issue will be provided.
This story was written with assistance from CNN’s Paradise Afshar, Sara Smart, and Sarah Dewberry.
