Kentucky community urged to remain alert during manhunt for ‘armed and dangerous’ person of interest in interstate shooting.

Authorities are currently searching for a suspect involved in a shooting that targeted nine vehicles on Interstate 75, south of Lexington, Kentucky, on Saturday. The incident left five individuals with serious injuries, led to the closure of the interstate for several hours, and heightened fears in the surrounding rural community.

The shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. in both the northbound and southbound lanes of the highway, according to the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office. All five victims are reported to be in stable condition, according to sheriff's spokesperson Gilbert Acciardo.

Residents in the area have been advised to stay indoors and remain alert as law enforcement pursues Joseph A. Couch, a person of interest in the case. Couch is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing about 154 pounds. Authorities have labeled him as "armed and dangerous."

London Mayor Randall Weddle urged the public to remain vigilant and to call 911 if they see Couch, while the sheriff's office cautioned against any attempts to approach him.

Mayor Weddle indicated that law enforcement has a general idea of where Couch may be hiding, emphasizing the challenges posed by the rugged terrain and dense tree lines that complicate the search.

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. The interstate was closed for hours to ensure the safety of motorists in the area, with assistance from the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Mayor Weddle also warned against going outside if residents hear anything suspicious, noting that first responders may already be in the vicinity.

This shooting incident follows a particularly violent week in the region, which saw a mass shooting at a high school in Winder, Georgia, resulting in four deaths and nine injuries, as well as another shooting spree in the Seattle area.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stated that state officials are closely monitoring the situation and offering support. "Please pray for everyone involved," he said.

Eyewitness Account

One eyewitness, Christina DiNoto, was driving on Interstate 75 with a friend when they experienced the shooting. DiNoto described hearing a loud noise that sounded like a rock hitting her back window. Initially uncertain if it was a gunshot, they later learned about the ongoing shooting incident.

“I noticed a truck next to us slow down and pull off to the side, so I thought they had a tire blowout. Then we saw several police cars speeding by and many tires on the side of the road,” she recounted. It wasn’t until they reached their destination that they discovered the details of the shooting. “My hands are still shaking. I feel incredibly lucky,” she added.

CNN’s reporting team contributed to this article.