The quiet of a Washington evening was shattered by gunfire along SR-167 near Auburn, where a man was found deceased in his vehicle, the apparent victim of a drive-by shooting, according to reports from the Washington State Patrol. KIRO 7 states that the shooting occurred just before 7:30 p.m., and troopers discovered the man had sustained multiple gunshot wounds while in the center lane of the highway.
The severity of the situation prompted an immediate investigation, shutting down all northbound lanes of the freeway as reported by KOMO News. The Washington State Department of Transportation alerted commuters of the incident, advising them to drive with care through the area and expect delays, with the first notification coming through at 7:50 p.m. and a subsequent update following at 8:13 p.m.
Investigators are currently searching for two vehicles of interest, as described by the WSP. People are urged to be on the lookout for a 1990-1995 red or maroon Ford Explorer and a 2018-2020 silver Subaru BRZ or similar vehicle, like a Scion FR-S. This detail was shared by FOX 13 Seattle, which also mentioned that anyone with information, especially those with dashcam footage or who have witnessed suspicious activity in the area of Ellingson Road, should call 911.
The community, rattled by the abrupt tragedy, has been reminded once again of the realities of gun violence on their doorsteps. The Washington State Patrol encourages members of the public to contribute to the ongoing investigation by reporting any relevant observations or evidence, as stated by KIRO 7.
