By Jerald Jimenez
03 Sep 2024, 10:36 AM EDT
Authorities in Washington state are investigating a series of five shootings that took place on Labor Day Monday on Interstate 5 (I-5). Multiple people have been confirmed injured in the incidents, though it has not yet been determined whether they are related.
According to a statement from the Washington State Patrol, one suspect has been arrested, though it is unclear whether he is linked to all of the shootings. Two women were taken to the hospital and I-5 was temporarily closed for evidence collection, but it has since reopened and will not affect morning traffic.
Rick Johnson, spokesman for Washington State Patrol District 2 for King County, reported the first shooting at 9:27 p.m. local time. The incident occurred on northbound I-5 near 320th, where one passenger was injured.
A second shooting was reported on northbound I-5 near MLK at approximately 9:42 a.m. One vehicle was damaged, but no injuries were reported.
Shortly afterward, a third shooting was reported on northbound I-5 near I-90, resulting in critical injuries to a 20-year-old woman, KOMO reported, citing the Seattle Fire Department.
The last two shootings occurred on southbound I-5, one near State Route 18 and another near 54th in Pierce County, with two people injured. Police were able to link the suspect’s vehicle to the first shooting on northbound I-5 near 320th, Johnson said.
The suspect was located and arrested in the Tacoma area, authorities said. However, his identity has not been released. The Pierce County Sheriff and the Fircrest Police Department made the arrest after locating the suspect vehicle.
With information from ABC News