Tonight, several developing stories as we come on the air. The intense manhunt in Kentucky after a gunman opens fire at drivers on a highway. In the race for the White House, new polling showing a dead heat ahead of this week's pivotal debate. The wildfire emergency in the West and a possible hurricane brewing in the Gulf. First, multiple agencies on the hunt for a suspect in the shooting on a Kentucky highway. Five people shot and wounded one victim describing the terror as her car came under fire. Police locating a suspicious in his vehicle and a weapon, but still searching for the suspect, considered armed and dangerous, and what sources are telling us about his criminal history. The ABC News presidential debate just two days away. Final preparations for both candidates, Vice President Kamala Harris rehearsing on stage with lighting. Former President Donald Trump on the campaign trail, testing new attack lines against his opponent as a new national poll shows the race tighter than ever. Evacuations ordered in Southern California, where a A flood fire is now threatening 35,000 structures. The fire creating its own weather system in the extreme heat, plus the major flood threat on the Gulf Coast as a possible hurricane could make landfall by Wednesday.

Our weather team tracking it all. Also, tonight, the deadly school shooting in Georgia, and a new report that the suspect's mother called the school, Warning of an extreme emergency, just before two students and two teachers were murdered. Miami Dolphins star, Tyreek Hill, detained by police outside the stadium just hours before his game. Authority is now ordering a review of body camera video with one officer placed on administrative leave, and the NFL with a major announcement on who's headlining this Super Bowl halftime show. Boeing's troubled Starliner spacecraft returns to Earth, minus its crew. Two American astronauts will now have to wait months before they can be brought home. The result late today in the US Open Finals, Taylor Fritz trying to do something that hasn't happened in more than for two decades. And America Strong tonight, saluting our Paralympic athletes, including the swimmer who survived a shark attack and brought home two medals, and the sprinter who now joins his wife as a gold medalist.

From ABC News, World headquarters in New York, this is World News Tonight.

Good evening. Thanks for joining us on this Sunday night. I'm Witt Johnson. We have a lot to cover tonight. The countdown is on to the ABC News debate between Vice President Kamal Harris and former President Donald Trump. What we know about how each is preparing an evacuation in Southern California as a massive wildfire explodes. But we begin with breaking news and the urgent manhunt in Kentucky. Authorities searching a rural area in the Southeastern part of the state for a suspect, they say, opened fire on vehicles on Interstate 75. At least five people were shot. They say the suspect, 32-year-old Joseph Couch, is armed and dangerous. They're warning the public not to approach him. The incident, shutting down part of the interstate near London, Kentucky for a time. Traffic forced to divert. And tonight, authorities say they've located the suspect's vehicle and a gun. Abc's Alex Parchet leads us off from Kentucky.

Tonight, an intense manhunt underway for a suspect who, police say, shot five people in a rural part of Interstate 75 in Southeastern, Kentucky.

Some of the injuries were very severe, but we think they're We're all going to survive.

Authorities identifying 32-year-old Joseph Couch as a suspect, calling him armed and dangerous. Neighborbring Knox County Sheriff tells ABC News Couch was charged in February with third-degree terroristic threatening in connection with a family dispute, a misdemeanor in Kentucky. Today, Couch's Silver Toyota recovered near the scene. Police say an AR-15-style weapon in loaded magazines were also found in the woods near the interstate. Police say they believe Couch is still in that rugged wooded area. This all unfolded yesterday afternoon around 5:30 PM. Nine vehicles shot at along I-75 near the town of London, about 75 miles south of Lexington. Police say the suspect didn't know any of the victims.

They saw somebody run in the woods, snow shirt, sweating furiously.

As many as 60 law enforcement officers combing the rugged terrain for the shooter until 3:00 AM last night. That busy interstate closed for hours while authorities secured the area.

A lot of wooded area down there, so you can hide out of anywhere.

Tracks, anywhere. Christina Dunato was on her way to Tennessee with a friend Saturday when the shots rang out.

All of a sudden, we just heard this loud, deafening sound, and my right ear started ringing.

The FBI, US marshals, and ATF are now on the scene and assisting with the investigation. That's probably one of the most remote exits along I-75.

It's so wooded. There's one business. There's no residences.

Alex Prashay back with us now. Alex, you're getting new details about the search for the suspect?

That's right, Whit. Right now, law enforcement is combing through his history, and they say they've received more than 100 calls from locals, specifically about Couch. Now, as for that misdemeanor charged, the Knox County Sheriff was unable to provide more details about that case. But right now, police are just trying to understand what led up to this incident.

Whit. Still a lot of questions about this. Alex, thank you. Now to the Race for the White House and the countdown to that pivotal debate Tuesday night right here on ABC. Between vice President Harris and former President Trump. Harris this weekend, taking a time out from her debate preparations, visiting a spice shop in Pittsburgh, and what a new poll shows about the state of the Race, ABC's White House Correspondent, Mary Alice Parks is on the campaign trail.

Tonight, just two days until the ABC News presidential debate, Vice President Kamala Harris in Pittsburgh, briefly stepping away from study sessions.

Are you ready, now, Vice President?

Ready. Harris's team holding mock debate debates with full TV lighting. Aware that former President Donald Trump has been in seven presidential debates, this will be her first. Tonight, Harris boosted by a once unthinkable endorsement, Dick Cheney, George W. Bush's vice President calling Trump a threat to the Republic, saying that he will join his daughter in voting for Harris. Former Congresswoman Liz Cheney saying it's not just about what Trump did after the 2020 election, but also his economic policies. He does not need Congress that if he were to be reelected, to impose those massive tariffs that will, in fact, kill the American economy and the global economy. While Trump isn't participating in mock debates, he is holding informal policy sessions with a small team of advisors. The former President Saturday, seeming to lower expectations.

If I destroy her in the debate, they'll say, Trump suffered a humiliating defeat tonight.

The raise still a virtual toss-up. But in a new poll, more than a quarter of all voters say they still need to learn more about Harris, according to a new New York Times-Ciena poll out today. The Harris campaign, well aware that she has this unique moment to define herself, try to explain her policies to voters. But they say she also wants to go on the attack to try to get under Trump's skin, to try to remind voters of his temperament and record. Quip.

Mary Alice Parks. Thanks so much. Again, the ABC News presidential debate just two days away, Tuesday night, right here on ABC. David Mahrer and Lindsay Davis moderating. It all starts at 9:00 PM Eastern. Again, right here. Tonight, we are also tracking multiple weather threats as we come on a possible hurricane that could make landfall along the Gulf Coast later this week. The wildfire emergency unfolding in the West, the Line fire about 65 miles east of Los Los Angeles is threatening tens of thousands of structures now. Additional evacuations have been ordered. Abc Zorin Shah reports from the Fire Zone.

Tonight, an out-of-control wildfire in Southern California, forcing more evacuations. The blaze exploding to more than 17,000 acres. And one day later, still 0% contained, with more than 35,000 homes and businesses on the path of potential destruction.

If you're getting affected by the smoke, I encourage you to leave now.

It's just better to be safe than sorry.

The infernos sweltering heat, creating billowing clouds. 3,000 lightning strikes reported. The conditions, treacherous for firefighters facing triple-digit heat, steep terrain, and dry brush. At least Three injured. You can see firefighters right behind me intentionally lighting this area on fire right here to try to protect those homes just feet away from me.

I don't care if the house burns down, but not with him in it.

Residents frantically packing essentials as they flee with some traffic backed up for miles. What's going through your mind?

I'd like to get up there and see what's happening.

Do you know if your home is okay? No, I can't get up there. And that controlled fire burned through this entire area. These trees are fire-weekend and one by one, they have been coming down. That community tonight, incredibly anxious.

All right, Serene Shaw for us. Thank you so much. Let's get right to ABC News meteorologist tomorrow. Theodora, tomorrow, we could see a break from the heat in the West, but you're also watching a possible hurricane now brewing in the Gulf.

That's right, Wit. We're forecasting a bit of a cool down out West by the middle of the week. Take a look over the next three days, though. We're still going to be dealing with triple-digit temperatures through parts of Southern California and places like Arizona. But yes, we're keeping a very close on the tropics, and we're watching what is forecasted to potentially become a tropical storm or a hurricane, and the named storm would be Francine. That would all be occurring by late Wednesday into Thursday. It could make landfall as a cat. One biggest impacts along the Louisiana Coast, especially, life-threatening storm surge, along with strong winds, 5 to 8 inches of rain, up to 10 inches possible. This rain could begin as early as Tuesday for Texas and Louisiana. Whit?

We know you'll be tracking it for us, Samara. Thank you. Overseas ABC's now Israel, shutting down several border crossings with Jordan after a shooting that killed three Israeli border workers in the West Bank. Abc's Marcus Mohr is joining us now from Tel Aviv. Marcus, these closures are now threatening to disrupt the flow of aid into Gaza.

That's right, Whit. We have also learned that the gunmen in this case came from the Jordanian side of the border. We've now seen video showing a moment of the incident. Authorities say a truck driver shot and killed three Israeli police officers at the Allenby Bridge border crossing before he was killed. No motive has been identified. Authorities closed all of the crossings from Jordan into Israel. These are critical routes for humanitarian aid going into Gaza. Meanwhile, the IDF says it's reviewing the shooting death of American Turkish activist, Eichanar Aghi, at a demonstration in the West Bank. The IDF claiming their forces were under threat, saying that they fired, quote, toward an instigator of violent activity who had been throwing rocks at their forces. But witnesses said soldiers were on the roof of a building and shot not Aege after things had calmed down. Aghi's family now calling for an independent investigation.

All right, Marcus Moore from Israel. Thank you. We turn now to the mass shooting at a Georgia high school that claimed the lives of two teachers and two students. One student who had been in math class with the suspect just before the shooting describes what she saw when he allegedly opened fire. And tonight, what we know about the reported warning from the mother of the alleged shooter. Abc's Faith Abube is in Georgia.

Tonight, new details from the family of the suspect in the Georgia high school shooting that left two teachers and two students dead and nine others injured. Coach Grace on Telling ABC News that the 14-year-old's mother called a school counselor the morning of the shooting to warn them about an extreme emergency. The details first reported in the Washington Post. The post reporting that the suspect's mother texted her sister, saying she told the school counselor to go immediately and find her son to check on him. According to the suspect's aunt, the 10-minute call came in at 9:50 AM, nearly a half hour before the suspect allegedly opened fire. You don't think the kid that sits next to you in class is just going to shoot up your school one day? Sixteen-year-old Laila Seyarat was in class with the suspect. She says he left and returned minutes later, but the door was locked. From what I'm seeing, I could see him through the window, and then he just turned to my right, and then he fired about 10 to 15 shots. When we We heard the shots, we all just dropped to the floor and flung ourselves into a corner.

According to authorities, two school resource officers quickly located the suspect, allegedly still holding an AR-15 style rifle. He's surrendered. He's now charged with four counts of felony murder. Outside the school, a growing memorial for the victims.

We go to work every day prepared with a vest. We go to work every day, armed. Those teachers don't. They don't. They go in preparations to teach a child how to make it in the world. All of us have. Those teachers are heroes, too. Those kids are heroes.

With the Sheriff tells me they're investigating the timeline of events, including any phone calls from anyone into the school the morning of the shooting. School district officials are not commenting on the untelegations that they were warned. Meanwhile, the suspect has not entered a plea in court.

Which- Faith Aboubeh for us again tonight. Thank you. We appreciate it. We turn out to the NFL and an incident before today's Dolphins Jaguars game. Miami Dade Police handcuffing and briefly detaining Dolphins star wide receiver, Tirek Hill outside the stadium as he was driving to today's game. The department already placing one officer on administrative duties as they investigate. Here's the ABC's Morgan Norwood.

This is the moment Miami star receiver, Tirek Hill, was handcuffed by police outside Hard Rock Stadium. He'll see on this video posted to Instagram, face down as officers placed his hands behind his back. Here, Hill led away, fans instantly recognizing him. At one point, the encounter escalating when a third officer strikes him, Hill falling to the ground. One of the officers involved now on administrative leave. The incident happening just hours from kickoff and just one block away from the stadium. Sources tell ESPN, Hill was stopped for speeding in a meeting and got into a verbal altercation with police before being placed in handcuffs. Hill cited for reckless driving. How things escalated into the situation that they were in handcuffs and being held on the ground with police is mind boggling to me. Hill going on to play and score in Miami's home opener today. Hill for Rice, Clivey, 36.

When I left home, I told my wife, I was like, Babe, I'm going to go to work, and I'm going to get prepared for my day.

Little did I know, that was quite a surprise on the way, man.

Morgan Norwood back with us now. And Morgan, there was some other big news around the NFL today, and a new look for some of the players.

That's right, Whit. You may notice that some of the players are wearing these. They're called Guardian Caps, and they're essentially soft shell coverings designed to keep players safe. And so far, so good. The NFL says that they've reduced concussions by 50% in the groups that wore them during training camp. Whit?

All right, Morgan. Thank you. And it's only the first week of the NFL season, but the Super Bowl halftime show is now set. 17-time, Grammy-winning rapper, Kendrick Lamar, will lead the festivities. Lamar performed as a guest artist at the 2022 halftime show with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. The Super Bowl will be held at Caesar's Superdome in New Orleans on February ninth. Well, history made at the US Open. Late today, Taylor Fritz becoming the first American man to appear in a Grand Slam final in more than 15 years. But Fritz coming up short, losing to number one seed Yannick Sinner from Italy. Abc's Aika Jachi has more from Flushing Meadows.

Tonight, heartbreak for Taylor Fritz as he hoped to end a 20-year drought for American men at the US gets open. Sinner starting strong, taking the first set 6-3, winning 15 of the last 19 points of the set. That's it.

First set to Sinner.

The Italian forcing Fritz to reach to the right on this point, taking the second set 6 to 4. Fritz admirably coming back in the third set, but the challenge proving too much. On the final point, Fritz hitting the ball into the net, Sinner breaking his serve for Championship point.

It's been an amazing two weeks.

First off, congruciantic. He played a great match. Congrats to his team. It's really impressive.

The crowd here, electric. Back. The last time Americans were in the men and women finals was 2002. New York native Jessica Pagula falling to Arena Sabalenka in two hard-fought sets last night. That's it. Game seven. What American tennis player Taylor Fritz coming up short, but the fans here buzzing with excitement as the US Open show promising signs for American players on both the men's and women's side. Witt?

Absolutely. Still a great run for the Americans. Ike, thank you so much. Still much A bit more ahead on World News tonight, this Sunday. A pickup slams into an Elk's Lodge with multiple injuries, and Boeing Starliner comes home, but the crew is left behind at the space station. Now to a horrifying crash in Arizona A pickup truck slammed into an Elk's Lodge in Apache Junction Saturday night. More than two dozen people were hurt, 10 were taken to hospitals. The driver is in custody. They say alcohol was a contributing factor. Still ahead here, the spaceship The ship came back to Earth with the crew still in orbit. To the index now, mission accomplished for Boeing's troubled Starliner, but without its crew. Problems with the spacecraft made it too risky to carry the astronauts back home. Spacecraft undocking from the International Space Station where it had been since June. The crew will remain on the ISS until February. And still ahead, celebrating Team USA at the Paralympics. America Strong tonight, celebrating Team USA. Tonight, the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games in Paris, a series of triumphs for Team USA, taking home 105 medals. The American men's wheelchair basketball team making history, becoming the first ever to win three gold medals.

And on the track, Team USA's Hunter Woodall racing to gold yesterday in the men's 400 meter, celebrating with his wife, Tara Davis Woodall, who herself won gold at the Paris Summer Games in the long jump. This emotional moment going viral last month. You're the Olympic champion. As Hunter was there in the stands, proudly cheering her to victory. And an update on a story we first brought you on Paralympic swimmer, Ali Truitt. Tonight, Ali is all smiles, holding the two silver medals she just won in the women's 100-metre backstroke and the 400-metre freestyle. A competitive swimmer in college who lost her lower leg last year after a shark attack in Turcs and Caicos. But her passion for swimming remained.

The first time I got back in was in July, a year ago. I got back in with a floaty around my stomach.

That hard work and perseverance paying off in Paris.

What happened to me was not going to stop me from doing things I love.

Thanks so much for watching tonight. Have a great night.

Thank you for making World News Tonight with David Muir, America's most watched newscast.