US police report ‘active shooter situation’ after ‘numerous persons' shot near highway in Kentucky

Police have reported an “active shooter situation” near Interstate-75 in London, Kentucky, where “numerous persons” have been shot in traffic.

The incident happened 14km outside of London, when officers were called for reports of multiple vehicles being fired at on Interstate 75 in Laurel County, multiple media accounts said. The shots were reportedly coming from a wooded area or an overpass.

How many were shot and the nature of the injuries was not immediately clear.

But the Louisville Courier-Journal reported that between four and six people were injured, citing the Kentucky State Police.

About three hours after the shooting, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office named a “person of interest” who is to be considered “ARMED AND DANGEROUS” and cautioned the public not to approach the 32-year-old man.

Police officials said the suspect had not been caught. The interstate was shut down in both directions.

“Please avoid I-75 around Ext 49. Until further notice! Use an alternative route do not be anywhere in that area,” London Mayor Randall Weddle said on Facebook.

Kentucky state Trooper Scottie Pennington wrote on Facebook: “The suspect has not been caught at this time and we are urging people to stay inside.”

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear posted on X: “Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County. Please avoid the area. We will provide more details once they are available.”

He also asked the residents, “Please pray for everyone involved.”

Agents, from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have been called in to assist the Kentucky State Police and local law enforcement, the agency posted on X, calling it a “critical incident.”

London is a small city of about 8000 residents, northwest of the state capital Frankfort.

The shooting comes just days after a mass shooting at a Winder, Georgia high school that saw two teachers and two students killed and nine others wounded.