I-75 shut down in Laurel County after ‘numerous’ people shot, sheriff says

“Numerous” people were shot near Interstate 75 in Southern Kentucky Saturday evening in what authorities are describing as an active shooter situation.

Eighteen miles of I-75 are closed between Mt. Vernon and London, as are several side roads in the area, as police search for the shooter.

State police “got reports that vehicles were shot into on the interstate,” Kentucky State Police Trooper Scottie Pennington said in an interview at 8 p.m.

Pennington did not have details about the circumstances of the shooting or how many people were shot, and he said he did not know of any fatalities.

“The Suspect has not been caught at this time (and) we are urging people to stay inside!!” Pennington wrote in a Facebook post at about 7 p.m. “We will try our best to get you as much information as it becomes available!!”

Pennington said state police were notified at 6:36 p.m. that the interstate must be shut down. No law enforcement officers have been harmed.

University of Kentucky spokesman Jay Blanton said UK Chandler Hospital is receiving patients from the shooting.

Gov. Andy Beshear said he was receiving updates from state police as well as the Office of Homeland Security.

“Together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible. Please pray for everyone involved,” Beshear said in a post on the social media platform X.

Both directions of the interstate were closed, Beshear tweeted.

“Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County,” the post stated. “Law enforcement has shut the interstate down in both directions at exit 49. Please avoid the area. We will provide more details once they are available.”

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said both northbound and southbound lanes of I-75 were closed between Exit 41 and Exit 59 and that U.S. 25 was closed nine miles north of London, as well as Ky. 909.

This is a developing story and will be updated.