A huge manhunt is under way after seven people were shot or injured on a motorway in Kentucky as police warned residents not to leave their homes.
The shooting happened near the city of London along Interstate 75 on Saturday evening.
Police arrived and found nine vehicles had windows shot out, Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said.
Officers responding to the “active shooter situation” described the chaotic scenes as resembling a “madhouse”.
Officials named Joseph A Couch, 32, as a person of interest and say he is considered armed and dangerous.
Early on Sunday, five of those shot were in stable condition, although some of the victims had “very serious” injuries, including one person blasted in the face, Deputy Gilbert Acciardo said.
Two other people were hurt in the vehicle crash that accompanied the violence, he said.
According to local media, the suspect may have fired from a wooded area near to the highway or an overpass.
Christina DiNoto, who was driving on the I-75 with a friend at the time of the shooting, told CNN “it was like a rock went through my back window”, hurting her ear.
“We looked at each other and we were like, ‘Was that a gunshot?’ And then we’re like, ‘No, that wasn’t a gunshot’.”
Police spokesman Mr Acciardo said authorities were notified at 5.30pm (9.30pm GMT).
Arriving at London, 75 miles south of Lexington, they found numerous vehicles on the side of the highway at Exit 49.
Mr Acciardo told reporters during a news conference: “When our first two units got to the scene there, they said it was a madhouse: people on the sides of the road, emergency flashers going, bullet holes, windows shot out, nine vehicles shot. Can you imagine that? Just chaotic.”
Police blocked traffic in both directions because they did not know where the bullets came from, he added.
Authorities believe there was only one shooter and Mr Acciardo said they do not believe the incident was sparked by road rage.
Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies searched a remote, wooded area, but eventually suspended the search because of darkness. The search will resume at daybreak on Sunday, he said.
“We do have the area contained right now. It’s a very fluid investigation. Our people are still on the scene. Our special response team is there. We are trying to find a shooter there,” Mr Acciardo added.
He cautioned that authorities have not determined that Couch, from Woodbine in Kentucky, “is the individual that fired the weapon”.
State lawmakers from Laurel County urged residents in the area to stay home as police continued to search for the shooter.
“Without a doubt, this is an act of senseless violence that does not reflect the values of this community, our Commonwealth, or its people,” they said in a statement.
In a video update on Facebook, London mayor Randall Weddle tried to calm fears as the search continued for the gunman. He urged residents to call 911 if they hear or see anything suspicious near their homes.
“We’re asking folks please do not go outside your home shooting because we might have first responders in that area. It’s important to know you are safe. We have multiple agencies in this community, in the city of London and in Laurel County,” Mr Weddle said.
Mr Weddle said police “know the general area where this individual is”, but he would not release specific details.
Governor Andy Beshear said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: “I am receiving initial reports from the Kentucky State Police and our Office of Homeland Security - together we are actively monitoring the situation and offering support in any way possible.
“Please pray for everyone involved.”
