(Cupventi.com) – A manhunt is currently in progress in Laurel County, Kentucky, following a mass shooting near Interstate 75. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, prompted authorities to close a section of the highway and urge residents to remain indoors.
The Laurel County Sheriff’s office confirmed the shooting via a Facebook post, stating, “Numerous persons have been shot near I-75,” and that the highway remains closed at Exit 49. The area, located nine miles north of London, Kentucky, is experiencing heavy law enforcement activity as officers from multiple agencies respond to the situation.
According to Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington, the suspect responsible for the shootings has not yet been apprehended. He emphasized via social media that law enforcement is actively working to resolve the situation, urging residents to stay indoors. “We are urging people to stay inside,” Pennington wrote, promising updates as new information emerges.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in Louisville confirmed that they are aiding local and state authorities in managing what they referred to as a “critical incident.” Meanwhile, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has closed off Interstate 75 from Exit 41 to Exit 59 in both directions as law enforcement continues their search for the suspect. Their statement advised travelers to “seek alternate routes” and avoid the affected area.
Governor Andy Beshear, addressing the situation on X, acknowledged the severity of the incident. “Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County. Law enforcement has shut the interstate down in both directions at exit 49,” he wrote. He assured the public that the state’s law enforcement and Homeland Security teams are monitoring the situation and offering necessary support. “Please pray for everyone involved,” he added, asking for the public’s thoughts during this ongoing crisis.
A witness, Matt Downing, who was traveling northbound on Interstate 75 when the shooting occurred, described a tense scene as law enforcement rapidly closed off traffic. Downing explained to CNN that a police vehicle had blocked the lanes by swerving, stopping all traffic on the highway. He has been stranded for over an hour, and reports seeing at least 30 police cars pass by. As of 7:30 p.m., Downing noted that authorities began redirecting traffic in the opposite direction.
Authorities continue to advise caution and urge the public to stay clear of the area as the manhunt persists. London, Kentucky, where the incident unfolded, is located approximately 80 miles south of Lexington, with the community now anxiously awaiting updates from law enforcement regarding the suspect and the safety of the affected area.