Rush-hour drivers on northbound I-35E in Eagan got a jarring reminder of how fast tempers can boil over on the freeway when shots were fired near the Deerwood Drive overpass around 5:16 p.m., backing up traffic and drawing a major police response. Investigators say one driver fired multiple rounds at another vehicle, striking and damaging it. The people inside that car were not hurt, but officers briefly stopped northbound lanes so they could comb the pavement for evidence and search for the shooter.
What police say
According to KSTP, Eagan Police said the gunfire broke out at about 5:16 p.m. near Deerwood Drive when one driver opened fire on another vehicle. The victim’s vehicle was hit by several rounds, but no injuries were reported, and the suspect and their vehicle remained at large. Officers shut down the northbound side of I-35E in the area while investigators collected shell casings and other evidence, and said the roadway would reopen once processing at the scene was complete.
The stretch has a history
This part of I-35E has seen trouble before. In 2012, the Star Tribune reported on a road-rage shooting in Eagan that wounded a passenger, prompting police to warn drivers not to engage with aggressive motorists. Local officers say cases like that underscore how quickly a heated exchange can turn into violence on a busy freeway.
Investigators seek witnesses
Eagan Police are asking anyone who saw the confrontation or who has dash-cam or cellphone video of it to call 651-675-5700, according to KSTP. Detectives say they are reviewing traffic cameras and interviewing witnesses as they work to identify the vehicle and driver. The department has not released a description of the suspect.
How drivers can avoid escalation
Road-safety experts stress de-escalation in tense moments: give aggressive drivers space, avoid eye contact or gestures, and if a situation feels dangerous, call law enforcement instead of engaging with another motorist. Insurance and safety guides such as Allstate also urge drivers to plan extra time for trips, stay calm behind the wheel, and save any video footage that might later help investigators.
