SEATTLE — A couple in their 70s was injured during an apparent road rage incident Thursday morning in West Seattle, and now police are searching for the suspect.
The alleged incident took place in the intersection of 16th Avenue SW and SW Holden Street after 8:15 a.m. Thursday.
The couple told Seattle police that they first encountered the alleged shooter when they honked at him during the morning commute, according to Seattle Police Department Sgt. Randy Huserik.
The 70-year-old man, who was driving, and the 71-year-old woman were traveling behind a white van that was moving slowly. The man honked the horn and drove around the van.
Police said the couple encountered the van again at 16th Avenue SW and SW Holden Street, and the driver of the van allegedly stopped his vehicle, opened his door and fired a single shot.
The bullet grazed the woman and hit the man a bit more forcefully, wounding him, police said.
The victims droves themselves to the West Seattle precinct a few blocks away, and received aid from paramedics. They did not have to go to the hospital.
Police said the suspect sped away. Officers searched the area and could not find him.
Christine Crites, who works at 16th and Holden at BedHead Coffee, heard and witnessed the incident when it happened. She said she was not surprised. Crites said the intersection has become chaotic since the West Seattle Bridge closure.
“There is just so much traffic and the area is not really designed to handle the volume of it. I think people get upset and frustrated because it takes 20 minutes to get from any major road over to this little squeeze,” Crites said.
Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call SPD Violent Crimes tip line at 206-233-5000.