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

“Multiple” people were shot near Interstate 75 in southern Kentucky Saturday night in what authorities are describing as an active shooter situation.

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

State police “received reports of vehicles being struck by gunfire on the highway,” Kentucky State Trooper Scottie Pennington said in an interview at 8 p.m.

Pennington did not provide details on the circumstances of the shooting or the number of people injured, and he said he was not aware of any deaths.

“The suspect has not yet been arrested (and) we urge people to stay inside!!,” Pennington wrote in a Facebook post around 7 p.m. “We will do our best to provide you with as much information as possible!!”

Pennington said state police were notified at 6:36 p.m. that the highway had to be closed. No law enforcement officers were injured.

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

“Together, we are actively monitoring the situation and offering our support in any way we can. Please pray for all those affected,” Beshear said in a message posted on the social media platform X.

Both directions of the highway were closed, Beshear tweeted.

“Kentucky, we are aware of a shooting on I-75 in Laurel County,” the message read. “Law enforcement has closed the interstate in both directions at Exit 49. Please avoid the area. We will provide more details as they become available.”

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet said the 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.