Everett-area driver charged in U.S. 2 road rage shooting
A 48-year-old man from Auburn was taken into custody last week after being linked to a July evening gunfire incident on U.S. Highway 2 during the westbound commute.
He faces first-degree assault with a firearm and drive-by shooting allegations stemming from shots fired on July 22. Washington State Patrol units responded around 6:30 p.m. to the southbound I-5 ramp leading to U.S. 2 after multiple callers reported a shooting during what appeared to be a road rage confrontation.
Officers on scene described multiple bursts of gunfire exchanged between two vehicles as they traveled east across the U.S. 2 trestle. The highway remained closed for over four hours to allow for thorough investigation.
One of the drivers involved, a 38-year-old man from Oregon, reported a tire failure in Snohomish after the encounter. He recounted to troopers that he had been traveling south on I-5 from Marysville when a pickup suddenly braked in front of him before pulling away quickly. He maintained he had no prior conflict with the other driver.
Upon merging onto U.S. 2, he noticed the same truck approaching from behind, he said. Soon after, he observed visual flashes and heard multiple discharges, according to charging documents.
The suspect allegedly pulled over on the right shoulder near Homeacres Road, raised a semiautomatic handgun, and fired several rounds as the Oregon man passed by. Investigators recovered nine spent casings at the initial engagement point and an additional four casings farther east along the corridor.
Dash camera footage from a bystander proved critical in identifying the suspect’s vehicle and captured the man standing outside his truck on the highway, aiming at the other driver’s car. Probable cause filings noted the footage also highlighted an apparent prosthetic limb on the suspect’s right side.
Law enforcement widened their search using Flock security camera data from Everett police, cross-referencing similar Nissan truck models in the area during the shooting window. This led troopers to the suspect, whose physical appearance aligned with witness accounts.
Earlier reporting indicates the same individual had been involved in a separate road rage episode in Clark County the previous month. There, he reportedly displayed a black handgun while operating a different vehicle, though no formal charges have yet been filed for that incident. Court records show he has no prior felony convictions.
The suspect was apprehended on September 11, shortly after returning from an Alaskan cruise. According to police, he acknowledged the purpose of their contact and described the confrontation as one where the other driver was closely tailgating him. He explained that he initially fired a round into the road ahead, followed by two shots aimed at the rear of the other vehicle’s engine compartment.
He told officers he acted out of concern for his safety, saying he felt threatened by the proximity and behavior of the other motorist.
The suspect was taken into custody at Snohomish County Jail. His release is contingent on a $50,000 bond, where he currently remains held.
Contact the reporter: Ian Davis-Leonard: 425-339-3097; ian.davis-leonard@a regional outlet.com