Six people were shot on the I-75 highway in Kentucky, USA. A police manhunt is underway for the alleged perpetrator: a 32-year-old man who is said to be armed and dangerous.
Local media reports that the shots were fired from the forest or the viaduct. The highway was temporarily closed.
“We are aware of shots fired on I-75 in Laurel County. Law enforcement has closed the road in both directions, please avoid the area,” Gov. Andy Beshear said in a post on social media platform X.
“I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our homeland security office. Together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way we can,” he added.
A state police spokesman said four to six people were shot. There were “multiple serious injuries, but no deaths have been confirmed,” local TV station WYMT reported.
According to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, the alleged perpetrator is a 32-year-old man. He has not yet been apprehended. Residents in the area were urged to stay indoors. The assailant was considered armed and dangerous.
Kentucky: Man shoots six people on highwayReuters
Mostly rural, Laurel County lies south of the city of Lexington along the major north-south artery I-75 through the eastern United States.
Gun violence is rampant in the United States, where there are more guns than people. As of August 31, there have been 432 mass shootings in 2024. 527 people were killed and 1,755 injured. A mass shooting is USA four or more people killed with a firearm in a public place, their perpetrators are not counted.
Main image source: Reuters