In a midday press briefing just concluded after 3 p.m., Laurel County Sheriff’s public information officer, Gilbert Acciardo, disclosed some new developments in the ongoing investigation and manhunt in north Laurel County.
Acciardo told members of the press, that the AR-15 rifle, believed to be the weapon used in the interstate shootings last night, had been recovered. The weapon was located in a wooded area that would have a clear line of sight to interstate traffic. He had no explanation or theory why the subject would abandon the weapon.
Last night, the vehicle belonging to ‘person of interest’ Joesph Couch, was also found on a service road near the interstate where the shootings occurred Saturday night.
Accardio said Federal authorities were currently processing the rifle found.
He said, the search continues slowly out of concern for law enforcement officials and due to the dense wooded nature of the search area. Authorities expressed the possibility the subject could still be armed in some manner. They believe Couch is still in that wooded area.
Acciardo recounted the chaotic scene officers first responded to last night. Multiple vehicles with bullet holes, windshields shot out, and five people suffering from injuries from gunshot wounds. It took a while, he stated, to sort through misinformation and erroneous reports, but feels all teams are now focused on the facts and task at hand.
Investigators also released these photos of Couch’s car (below), that was found off of exit 49 on aUS Forest Service road near the scene of the shootings.
Everyone in the general vicinity is urged to be vigilant and on the lookout, to stay safe and prevent the suspect from gaining access to a vehicle or potential hostage situations.
The sheriff’s office continues to do periodic live updates during the day as the search continues this Sunday.
