The man who opened fire on a highway in Kentucky reportedly sent a text message vowing to “kill a lot of people” less than 30 minutes before the incident occurred.
“I’m going to kill a lot of people. Well try at least,” Joseph Couch, said according to the warrant affidavit filed in court. In a separate text message, Couch wrote, “I’ll kill myself afterwards,” the affidavit says.
The case involving Couch, as described in the affidavit by Capt. Richard Dalrymple of the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, reveals significant details about a highway shooting incident. Couch allegedly sent text messages to a woman, identified by The Lexington Herald-Leader as his ex-wife, at 5:03 p.m. on the day of the shooting.
Shortly after, the Laurel County police were alerted, prompting them to initiate a tracker on Couch’s cellphone. However, the signal from the tracker wasn’t received until nearly 90 minutes later at 6:53 p.m.
Couch is facing five counts each of criminal attempt to commit murder and first-degree assault based on the affidavit. During the investigation, police discovered a green Army-style duffel bag with “Couch” written on it, along with ammunition, spent shell casings, and a Colt AR-15 rifle near I-75.
The search, which has spanned thousands of acres of rugged terrain near London, Kentucky, continues as law enforcement officers look for further evidence.
