Louisville woman shot on I-65 making progress at rehab as police still search for suspect

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Louisville woman who survived being shot in the head along Interstate 65 is now making progress at a rehabilitation center while police continue searching for the person who pulled the trigger.

Family members said 28-year-old Juanita Barnett was driving on I-65 near Grade Lane last month when her car was riddled with bullets. Louisville Metro Police said the shooting happened around 3:45 a.m. Aug. 28 and forced the closure of the interstate for several hours.

Barnett survived, but her injuries were severe. Doctors removed a bullet from her brain but couldn't remove fragments that were too dangerous to touch.

"She's doing pretty good," said Robin Moy, Barnett's mother. "Her spirit is really uplifting, and she's doing physical therapy three hours a day."

I-65S shooting traffic — Pictured: traffic backed up on I-65 South near Grade Lane after a woman was shot and crashed into a wall in the early morning hours of Aug. 28, 2025. (WDRB via TRIMARC)

Moy said her daughter has to re-learn how to walk and move her right side. New video shows Barnett exercising, walking with parallel bars and even dancing with her children during visits.

"It brought tears to my eyes and tears of joy," Moy said. "I'm so happy she's doing better and that she's still here with us."

Despite the progress, Barnett's recovery hasn't been easy. She underwent another surgery to stop bleeding in her brain and still struggles with memory of the night she was shot.

"She just remembers driving down the freeway," Moy said. "Her timeline is messed up, and she doesn't really remember if she got shot and hit the metal divider or if they ran her off the road."

Barnett's family said they've since moved her from her home out of fear for her safety.

LMPD said detectives with the Non-Fatal Shooting Unit are still investigating the case.

"There has not been an arrest made in this case," said Dwight Mitchell, an LMPD spokesperson. "We're still searching for clues on exactly what happened that early morning on 65 near Grade Lane."

Investigators believe someone may have seen something and are asking witnesses to call LMPD's anonymous tip line at 502-574-LMPD (5673) or submit tips online by clicking here.

For now, Barnett's family is focused on her recovery and hoping someone comes forward.

"I just wish that somebody would come forward and let us know who did this," Moy said. "Because I don't want her to be looking over her shoulder for the rest of her life."

Woman hospitalized after shooting shuts down Interstate 65 South near Grade Lane