A driver was shot twice in the legs early Friday on northbound I-5 near the Federal Way Rest Area, after a passenger in a dark-colored SUV opened fire on their vehicle just after 2 a.m. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, and as of Friday afternoon, no arrests had been made in the case.
According to the Washington State Patrol, as reported by FOX 13 Seattle, a passenger in a dark-colored SUV fired at another vehicle on northbound I-5 near the rest area, striking the driver twice in the legs. The victim's current condition is unknown, the outlet reported, and authorities have not released details about what led up to the shooting.
Other outlets placed the shooting slightly differently on the map. MyNorthwest reported that the Washington State Patrol was investigating the early-morning shooting near the King-Pierce County line, with investigators searching for a black SUV. That outlet also reported the victim was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tacoma.
Conflicting Accounts of Who Was Shot
Exactly who was behind the wheel when the shots were fired remains murky across different reports. KOMO News described the injured person as the driver and sole occupant of the targeted vehicle, according to the station's account, with the suspect vehicle described as a black SUV. The car pulled over on the side of the freeway after the shooting, and troopers and medics responded to the scene, the station reported.
MyNorthwest's report, meanwhile, cited a source describing the victim as a passenger believed to be riding in a Honda who was struck in both legs — a detail that conflicts with other accounts. Neither version has been confirmed as the definitive account, and the discrepancy underscores how fluid the early reporting on the incident has been.
Motive and Suspect Still Unknown
Investigators have not said whether the people in the two vehicles knew each other or whether the shooting was related to road rage, per the same KOMO News report. Troopers are seeking witnesses to the shooting, and the Washington State Patrol has asked anyone with information to contact the agency.
No arrests have been made, and authorities have not released further details regarding the circumstances leading up to the shooting. The search for the dark SUV connected to the gunfire continues as investigators piece together what happened on the freeway before dawn.
