As much as I hate reddit, I usually go there for this kind of thing since someone is always giving proper updates.
The guy bought an ar-15 and 2000 rounds literally this morning.
Also, anyone know how to spoiler, I forgot.
Edit: updated with more info, lots of gunshots.
Jfc, it just gets worst. Apparently this guy was arrested earlier on terroristic threats and now a bunch of 2A nuts are cruising the area trying to catch him, complicating it for police. Easy way to get shot and might even explain all the reports of gunshots. This is going to get bad.
Edit: Things have quieted down and they can’t find him. They are using thermals so either he killed himself or kidnapped someone and their car. My guess is the first and all the reports were “good guys with guns” shooting at shadows.
Here’s the top comment on the reddit thread:
Things I’ve heard on the scanner (all times ET):
8:30p: asking for an additional helicopter
8:40p: something about a female with prior military experience. Unsure if this was a victim or potential suspect. a female reported someone she knew threatening to shoot people today and had military experience (Thank you u/9leggedfreak)
8:46p: police know the suspect and confirmed they bought an AR-15 with 2,000 rounds this morning.
8:47p: multiple reports of gunshots at a new location (not sharing specifics for police security)
8:52p: second aircraft inbound
8:58p: they’re tracking the subjects cell phone and just got a ping on their location; directing aircraft
9:03p: sister of the suspect has called to ask for protection as the subject has threatened to kill his family members; location withheld for security.
9:04p: flashlights being seen by aircraft in the location where the cell phone pinged
9:07p: someone reporting the shooter is in their front yard
9:15p: suspicious vehicle (Chevy Equinox) found in the middle of the road
9:19p: trying to get the interstate open; sounds like it was overruled
9:22p: ten shots reported at a new intersection
9:23p: “front lawn” report clarified it wasn’t accurate and was “a shooting in the county”
9:25p: multiple callers reporting gunshots; police in motion
9:26p: the abandoned vehicle on Lily Rd was confirmed not to be the shooters (also thank you to u/PM_ME_GLUTE_SPREAD)
9:27p: “fog of war” is causing some confusion for responders; reconsolidating
9:30p: quite a bit of focus on a specific cell tower, presumably the same tower referenced from the cell ping and aircraft directions
9:31p: NYT is reporting 5 people shot on the highway. Victims are in stable condition per their report.
9:33p: another report of a strange person walking through someone’s property
9:33p: route 25 is shut down at 490 (this may not be new)
9:34p: police presence on Bluegrass Rd. same area as prior reports
9:37p: aircraft still working off the single ping from earlier. No further cell pings.
Per the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office: Joseph A. Couch, 32, identified as person of interest. White, 5’10”, approx. 154lbs. Considered armed and dangerous. Contact 606-878-7000 with any information.
9:47p: One area search completed. No shots or suspect found.
9:48p: A black mustang is being sought for someone “last seen”. Unclear if it is part of this search or a separate incident.
9:48p: another report of the shooter near Bluegrass Rd in their front yard; police in motion
9:51p: sounds as if a request for additional help from an ancillary agency was denied; surprised the police lead given the circumstances
9:54p: the 10-88 (phone number) of the subject is known and attempting Signal 6 (calling)
9:55p: state representatives have arrived; advising further shut down of route 25
9:58p: an additional search has been completed (near 490)
10:05p: 490 traffic is still blocked; state department asking to open things up
10:08p: command post rotating police units to bring in fresh folks
10:10p: additional gunshots reported
10:11p: extended family may have information on location, but police are having trouble getting details
10:16p: gunshots reported Bulls Branch Rd about 10 min ago (thanks u/Dr-Shakie). This is about 3mi southwest of Bluegrass.
10:19p: suspicious person with flashlight near someone’s driveway walking toward 490
10:24p: continued clearing of RV parks and other areas
10:27p: police hearing gunshots near Carmichael Community Church / KY-3094 (thanks u/Dr-Shakie and u/mhwnc). This is a little over a mile south of Bulls Br Rd from earlier.
10:35p: reports of subject spotted on Dean Hundley Rd.
10:38p: random people coming out of the woods
10:39p: more reports of sightings on US-25
10:39p: gunshots reported near residence on Fount Hubbard. This is fairly far west from other reports.
10:46p: lots of police relocating; few reports
10:51p: more reports near Byble Rd, not near other reports (thanks Shakie)
10:57p: Kentucky State Police helicopter N10SP very focused along US-25 (thanks u/ImportantDepth8858)
10:58p: someone with a flashlight matching subject description seen; sounds very far from current activities
11:00p: reports of a runner from police
11:02p: possible resident spotting of suspect at (likely, radio is hard to tell) Irvine Ln (thanks u/AtlasRoark and u/LaserLlamaYoMama)
11:05p: ADS-B reporting of the KSP helicopter has gone offline. Haven’t heard them on the radio in some time, either. (thanks u/weemwrangler2) back up now - circling same areas as before
11:15p: suspicious vehicle unexpectedly parked in someone’s driveway; no make and model. Fairly far from the search area and likely unrelated (thanks Shakie/mhwnc)
11:19p: units have arrived at location of reported gunshots on 490
11:20p: detailed report of shooting happening near someone’s property; units heading in that direction
11:22p: Robert’s Creek Rd “dogs are going crazy”
11:22p: police have NOT heard gunshots on 490 (thank you for correction Shakie)
11:25p: reports of shooting and male with a flashlight near Laurel Lake Rd N - units responding
11:30p: an officer is not answering their radio; units responding
11:31p: suspicious van seen with male who fled
11:32p: unresponsive officer is 10-4
11:36p: N10SP looks to be departing their search area, possibly heading to London to refuel, but that’s speculation. Nothing on air about going off-station.
11:40p: unrelated DV calls reported; may result in some confusion in reporting to follow
11:41p: another suspicious vehicle reported in someone’s driveway
11:52p: reported male seen with gun heading toward London on KY-30
11:58p: individual on KY-30 allowed search by officer; no weapons found
12:02a: thermal drones have joined the search
12:22a: N10SP is flying north out of the area after stopping in London. They may be done for the night.
12:23a: suspicious person near school possibly matching suspect description
12:50a - things have significantly quieted down and not much to report. I imagine the evening will be about road blocks and containment, with the fugitive search continuing in the following days.
Continued note: fairly quiet with the exception of other calls; this may end up as a longer-term fugitive search as the false-positive calls slow down. Will keep an ear out for a bit longer.