TUKWILA, Wash. — Last month, a man who lives out of state was headed to the airport when he witnessed a freeway shooting on I-5. Now, details of what he saw are critical in finding the suspect who injured a military veteran in mid-February.
Trooper Rick Johnson of the Washington State Patrol said the shooting, which occurred around 11 p.m. on Feb. 19, appears to be a random ambush. It left bullet holes in a Mustang and possibly paralyzed the driver, 35-year-old Evan Hershey.
Evan Hershey, a Pierce County man who is also a U.S. Navy veteran, was in his Mustang driving home from work when he came under fire.
"The witness said the two vehicles were just driving along," Johnson said. "There was no aggression." The shooting occurred on southbound Interstate 5 near 405 in Tukwila.
Detectives said the involved vehicle is likely a gray KIA Optima.
"He said he observed the passenger sitting on the window ledge of the gray vehicle, firing over the top of the gray vehicle at the Mustang with what he described as an automatic rifle,” Johnson said.
More than 20 gunshots were fired and detectives were able to determine three different calibers struck the car.
"It is a pretty good indication that there were other individuals in that vehicle that were firing at the Mustang,” said Johnson.
Earlier this week, Adam Hershey, Evan’s brother, said their family is remaining hopeful amid his recovery.
His brother said a bullet destroyed Evan Hershey’s kidney and landed in his spinal cord. "He's doing as well as he can, considering that he doesn't have any feeling or sensation below essentially the belly button,” said Adam Hershey.
Johnson said, "it is a life changing, life altering event. We want to know why and who did this.”
After the shooting, the witness saw the KIA traveling south at normal freeway speed, but did not get the license plate number or a suspect description.
WSP is seeking more witnesses. If anyone has information, they are asked to contact Detective Olsen at Franklin.Olsen@wsp.wa.gov.