Multiple vehicles struck in road rage shooting near McCleary

At least two cars were damaged by gunfire in a road rage-related shooting on the highway near McCleary on Monday morning.

No injuries were reported and the shooter is in custody, said Trooper Katherine Weatherwax of the Washington State Patrol in an interview.

The initial call came in at 10:36 a.m., Weatherwax said. The suspect, driving a red Dodge crossover vehicle, had fired multiple rounds in the air as he exited the one-lane construction area headed eastbound on state Route 8 towards McCleary.

Several rounds struck a pickup truck in front of the suspect, striking the frame at least once and shattering the rear windshield, Weatherwax said. The driver responded by slamming on the brakes of the pickup truck, causing the suspect vehicle to strike the rear bumper.

“He brake checked him, the suspect rammed into him, causing the airbags to go off,” Weatherwax said. “This is very rare out here. Luckily the driver was thinking on his feet. If someone is shooting at you, you should try to get away as quick as possible.”

While the victims drove to the McCleary Police Department, with the bumper of the suspect vehicle still caught on their towing hitch, Chief Sam Patrick of the McCleary Police Department responded to the call, arriving first on scene of the disabled suspect vehicle. Personnel from the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office also responded to the incident.

“I made first contact with him. I detained him without incident,” Patrick said in a phone interview. “I stayed and helped out wherever I could.”

The suspect is a 52-year-old man, Weatherwax said, who is known to law enforcement. After he was detained by Patrick, the suspect, whose name has not yet been released, was transported for a medical evaluation following the crash.

The suspect is being cooperative, Weatherwax said. Law enforcement personnel are currently searching the area of the incident for the weapon used. Drugs or alcohol did not appear to be a factor, Weatherwax said.

The driver of a second vehicle contacted law enforcement to report damage from a round striking their vehicle, Weatherwax said. Weatherwax urged anyone who may have been driving in the area at the time to contact law enforcement if their vehicle has also been struck by gunfire.

Charges are forthcoming as the WSP investigates the shooting, Weatherwax said.

Patrick said there is no ongoing threat to the public with the suspect in custody.

Contact Senior Reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or michael.lockett@thedailyworld.com.