The physique of a person whom authorities consider opened fire on a Kentucky interstate on Saturday, Sept. 7 has been discovered.
Practically two weeks after 5 people have been injured within the taking pictures that took place off of Interstate 75 in London, Ky., officers say they consider they’ve discovered the physique of the suspected shooter, Joseph A. Sofa, 32.
Kentucky State Police held a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 18, during which they introduced that two civilians and two troopers “had discovered an unidentified physique in a deep brush behind Exit 49 in Laurel County” earlier within the day.
“Troopers had been looking out within the space all day and had observed vultures within the air. They continued to try to find the precise nature or the world that the vultures have been circling in,” stated Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr.
The commissioner stated that the troopers started to “detect a robust odor of what seemed to be a decomposing flesh.”
Whereas “shifting by the thick terrain,” Burnett stated the troopers heard the voices of the civilians, who recognized themselves as Fred and Sheila McCoy, expressing they have been additionally looking for Sofa.
Burnett stated that “nearly instantly after that interplay,” the group “stumbled upon an unidentified physique.”
“Presently we nonetheless have troopers and personnel on the market processing the scene. There have been articles related to the physique that, at the moment, we really feel is Joseph Sofa,” continued Burnett. “[The] Laurel County coroner is there current, after which the physique, recognized physique, at the moment will likely be despatched to Frankfort for optimistic identification tomorrow. However once more, we do have these articles related to the physique that we do really feel is Joseph Sofa.”
Whereas the incident stays an energetic investigation, Burnett Jr. added, “We’re very assured that this brings the closure within the seek for Joseph Sofa.”
“The primary factor that’s excellent tonight is that the folks of Laurel County can relaxation straightforward, a lot simpler, figuring out that this manhunt has now come to a conclusion,” he concluded.
Sofa allegedly wounded 5 folks earlier than abandoning an AR-15 rifle, his silver SUV, and his cellphone alongside the aspect of the interstate in London, Ky., and fleeing the scene after the Sept. 7 incident.
In a statement, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Workplace stated 9 automobiles have been shot into alongside each the north and southbound lanes.
Rebecca Puryear, who was hit within the chest and arm by a bullet, instructed The Lexington Herald-Leader she was driving house from dinner at Olive Backyard together with her husband and their 4-year-old son. “This man was out to kill, and he nearly did,” she instructed the outlet.
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Sofa allegedly bought the rifle and ammunition from an area enterprise shortly earlier than the taking pictures, based on WKYT. The outlet stories that Sofa was within the Military Reserve for six years and was beforehand charged with making a terroristic risk in Knox County in February.