Kentucky Schools Cancel Monday Classes Amid Manhunt for Suspect of I-75 Mass Shooting

Multiple schools in Kentucky have announced the cancellation of classes on Monday amid an ongoing manhunt for the suspect of a mass shooting on the I-75 in Kentucky.

On Saturday afternoon, a man opened fire into nine cars on the northbound and southbound lanes of the I-75. No fatalities were reported, but one victim was shot in the face and some others were "critically hurt" in the incident. Law enforcement officials later identified the shooter as 32-year-old Joseph A. Couch, who they believe used an assault-style weapon.

As of Sunday, authorities have yet to capture Couch. He is believed to be somewhere in a remote area about 14 kilometers from the city of London. Police also said the 32-year-old is considered armed and dangerous.

Which Schools Announced Class Cancellations

Amid the ongoing manhunt for Couch, eight school districts have announced that classes will be canceled for Monday, Sept. 9, to ensure the safety of students and staff members. These schools include:

• Barbourville City School

• Clay County Public Schools

• Corbin Independent Schools

• Jackson County Public Schools

• Knox County Public Schools

• Somserset Community College

• Williamsburg City School

• Whitley County School District

It is unclear if the schools will reopen classes on Tuesday.

READ ALSO: How To Talk to Children About Gun Violence and Shootings

Mass Shootings in the US

The I-75 shooting and the subsequent closures of the Kentucky schools come just days after a 14-year-old student opened fire at the Apalachee High School in Georgia. That mass shooting incident led to the deaths of four people, including two students and two teachers.

Following the Georgia shooting, several schools across the US canceled classes after receiving threats of "violence."

Eufaula City Schools, for instance, closed schools on Thursday after it received a threat. It was not immediately clear what type of threat was made. District officials did not release any other information about the threat.

Mt. Healthy City Schools in Cincinnati also canceled classes on Thursday "due to a social media threat." The school district reopened Friday, adding that the threat was "not found to be credible."

Dedham High School in Massachusetts on Friday night canceled its high school football game against Dover Sherborn High School after receiving a tip about a possible "shoot up." The tip allegedly came from a blocked phone number, according to Boston.com.

RELATED ARTICLE: More Than 900 Children Have Already Died of Gun Violence So Far in 2024