A days-long manhunt for a gunman who opened fireplace on automobiles alongside Kentucky’s Interstate 75 got here to an finish when a YouTuber couple Fred and Sheila McCoy looking the wilderness stumbled upon a decomposing physique believed to be the suspect, Joseph Sofa.
The manhunt started after Sofa, 32, allegedly shot at 12 automobiles from a cliff on September 7, injuring 5 folks.In response to the authorities, Sofa despatched textual content messages to a lady earlier than the capturing indicating he supposed to kill a number of folks after which take his personal life, as reported by CNN US.
The assault triggered widespread concern within the surrounding communities, prompting faculty closures and enterprise lockdowns as legislation enforcement warned residents to keep away from the wilderness of the Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest.
For practically two weeks, authorities searched the rugged terrain of the Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest, which spans an space bigger than Los Angeles and New York Metropolis mixed.
They used helicopters, drones, and search canine, however couldn’t find Sofa.
His automobile, with an empty gun case inside, was discovered close to a forest service highway, together with an AR-15 believed for use within the capturing.
Suggestions poured in from a number of states, and a $35,000 reward was provided for data resulting in his arrest.
5 days into the search, Fred and Sheila McCoy, a pair from the realm, joined the hassle, hoping to assist in Sofa’s seize.
Whereas they had been on a livestream they seen vultures circling above a distant space and adopted a robust odour of decay.
The McCoys posted a stay YouTube video round 3:30 pm claiming they’d discovered Sofa’s physique after looking for six days and nights. They quickly encountered two Kentucky State Police troopers in the identical location, and collectively they found the decomposing physique.
Though the physique has not but been formally recognized, authorities are assured it’s Sofa, primarily based on articles discovered close to the scene.
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. introduced the invention, expressing aid that the search had concluded. “The folks of Laurel County can relaxation a lot simpler figuring out that this manhunt has come to an finish,” Burnett mentioned. An post-mortem will probably be performed to substantiate the identification and decide the reason for dying.
Sofa had been charged with 5 counts of tried homicide and 5 counts of first-degree assault. His motive for the capturing stays unknown, although authorities proceed to research.
Laurel County Sheriff John Root expressed remorse that Sofa wasn’t discovered alive, saying, “I’d somewhat he’d been alive, and he might have paid for what he’d performed.”
Fred and Sheila McCoy are anticipated to obtain a $15,000 reward from Laurel County Crime Stoppers and an extra $10,000 from a non-public donor for his or her function in finding the suspect.
The manhunt started after Sofa, 32, allegedly shot at 12 automobiles from a cliff on September 7, injuring 5 folks.In response to the authorities, Sofa despatched textual content messages to a lady earlier than the capturing indicating he supposed to kill a number of folks after which take his personal life, as reported by CNN US.
The assault triggered widespread concern within the surrounding communities, prompting faculty closures and enterprise lockdowns as legislation enforcement warned residents to keep away from the wilderness of the Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest.
For practically two weeks, authorities searched the rugged terrain of the Daniel Boone Nationwide Forest, which spans an space bigger than Los Angeles and New York Metropolis mixed.
They used helicopters, drones, and search canine, however couldn’t find Sofa.
His automobile, with an empty gun case inside, was discovered close to a forest service highway, together with an AR-15 believed for use within the capturing.
Suggestions poured in from a number of states, and a $35,000 reward was provided for data resulting in his arrest.
5 days into the search, Fred and Sheila McCoy, a pair from the realm, joined the hassle, hoping to assist in Sofa’s seize.
Whereas they had been on a livestream they seen vultures circling above a distant space and adopted a robust odour of decay.
The McCoys posted a stay YouTube video round 3:30 pm claiming they’d discovered Sofa’s physique after looking for six days and nights. They quickly encountered two Kentucky State Police troopers in the identical location, and collectively they found the decomposing physique.
Though the physique has not but been formally recognized, authorities are assured it’s Sofa, primarily based on articles discovered close to the scene.
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr. introduced the invention, expressing aid that the search had concluded. “The folks of Laurel County can relaxation a lot simpler figuring out that this manhunt has come to an finish,” Burnett mentioned. An post-mortem will probably be performed to substantiate the identification and decide the reason for dying.
Sofa had been charged with 5 counts of tried homicide and 5 counts of first-degree assault. His motive for the capturing stays unknown, although authorities proceed to research.
Laurel County Sheriff John Root expressed remorse that Sofa wasn’t discovered alive, saying, “I’d somewhat he’d been alive, and he might have paid for what he’d performed.”
Fred and Sheila McCoy are anticipated to obtain a $15,000 reward from Laurel County Crime Stoppers and an extra $10,000 from a non-public donor for his or her function in finding the suspect.
