WSP reports yet another drive-by shooting on I-5
Sep 11, 2024, 4:56 PM
(Photo courtesy of Washington State Patrol)
Another drive-by shooting has been reported, this time on the interchange ramp from Interstate 5 (I-5) south to State Route (SR) 16 west.
Washington State Patrol (WSP) trooper John Dattilo said the latest gunfire injured a driver near Tacoma around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
More drive-by shootings: Man in critical condition after drive-by shooting on I-5
The victim, a 35-year-old man, was driving his black 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a woman passenger, when another man, driving a black four-door sedan, also with a woman passenger, pulled up alongside.
“Pulled up alongside the victim’s vehicle and fired several shots at that vehicle,” Dattilo told KIRO Newsradio. “One of those shots struck the driver of that victim’s vehicle in the shoulder.”
The 35-year-old man was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and his woman passenger was unharmed.
The driver of the black sedan and his passenger got away, continuing on SR 16 west. Witnesses described the driver as a light-skinned Black man.
Similar news: Fight inside car traveling on I-5 leads to deadly stabbing, shooting
Troopers are working to find out what led up to the shooting. Datillo noted there’s something in the air.
“There’s something going on in King and Pierce Counties, and people feel like it’s appropriate to start shooting rounds off on Interstate 5, and that’s just not the answer to any situation,” he said.
Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has more information regarding the black sedan and its occupants is urged to contact Detective Brooke Bova at 360-701-8284 or via email at brooke.bova@wsp.wa.gov.
Earlier this month, a man was arrested in connection with a mass shooting on I-5, injuring at least five people.
More details: Man accused of I-5 mass shooting told police he tried to get help
According to WSP Capt. Ron Mead, WSP has been involved in 37 active investigations into highway shootings in King County, which includes Seattle, since the start of the year. Mead said the numbers are similar to the previous two years. Statewide, he said, there have been 57 shootings this year
Contributing: Bill Kaczaraba, MyNorthwest
Julia Dallas is a content editor at MyNorthwest. You can read her stories here. Follow Julia on X here and email her here.