Washington State Patrol (WSP) detectives have arrested a suspect in a road rage incident involving a firearm that took place near Tiger Mountain Summit on Aug. 6.
At about 6:15 p.m., WSP was dispatched after a report that the driver of a red Toyota Tacoma pickup had fired shots at a silver Chevrolet Tahoe heading westbound on state Route 18.
A witness and victim said the incident began after the driver of the Toyota cut off the Chevrolet, exiting from Interstate 90 to SR 18. Once on SR 18, the Toyota was in a lane that merged with the one the Tahoe was commuting in. While merging, the Toyota again cut the Tahoe off and made light contact with the right front of the Tahoe.
As the cars were approaching the summit, the single lane opened to two and the Toyota driver pulled up next to the Tahoe and allegedly shot four to five rounds toward the right backside of the Tahoe.
Both cars continued on the road and both took the Issaquah Hobart Road exit. The victim was able to get the plate number of the Toyota. It also matched the plate number provided by the witness to the shooting and the Toyota driver was not seen after this point.
The victim driver then traveled to the Snoqualmie Police Department where state troopers made contact. Troopers determined the bullets hit the rear tire of the car, destroying it. There were no injuries sustained in the shooting.
On Aug. 7, detectives and WSP SWAT visited the Ravensdale address registered to the license plate of the Toyota, after applying for and obtaining a search warrant. There they located a man that matched the description of the Toyota driver.
The search warrant was executed on the Toyota and detectives found a Beretta handgun, ammunition and shell casings inside. The suspected shooter was arrested and booked into King County Jail for investigation of a drive-by shooting and hit and run.
The WSP is asking any additional witnesses to the incident to contact Detective Vik Mauro at 425-401-7746 or at victoria.mauro@wsp.wa.gov.
Photo courtesy of Washington State Patrol A suspect was arrested after allegedly shooting at a car while driving, during an instance of road rage.
