KING COUNTY, Wash. — Several law enforcement agencies are increasing their presence in King County to deter freeway shootings after a dozen incidents have been reported this month.
So far this year, the Washington State Patrol said there have been 12 reported freeway shootings in King County. In five of those instances, WSP said evidence of bullet holes were found in the victims' cars. No one was injured in any of the 12 reported shootings.
The most recent shooting took place on Friday, Jan. 19, on I-90 near Mercer Island.
Trooper Rick Johnson with the Washington State Patrol said the victim called 911 while they were still driving and reported they were being shot at. The victim had bullet holes in their truck and told WSP that the suspect was a man wearing a beanie and driving a white Toyota 4Runner.
WSP is asking any witnesses to contact the agency.
Most of the shootings this year have occurred in south King County, according to Trooper Rick Johnson of the Washington State Patrol (WSP). In 2022 and 2023, Johnson said WSP responded to about 55 freeway shootings in total each year.
On Thursday night, WSP and law enforcement agencies in Kent, Auburn and Pacific increased patrols in the areas where the shootings occurred, Johnson said. They also plan to increase patrols again on Wednesday, January 24 in the area of I-5 and SR 518.
The increased efforts are to deter possible shootings along freeways, look for vehicles of interest and to quickly respond to any possible incidents, Johnson said. State patrol’s aviation section may also participate if weather conditions allow.
On Jan. 2, state patrol responded to a freeway shooting in the South Hill area and then responded to a drive-by shooting on state Route 167 near Ellingson.
WSP also responded to back-to-back shootings on Jan. 16 on state Route 18 and on Jan. 17 to a drive-by shooting on state Route 164.