EVERETT—A road rage incident led to a deadly altercation between Washington State Patrol (WSP) and a suspect Thursday on the shoulder of Interstate 5 by Everett.
Washington State Patrol responded to a road rage incident shortly after 4 p.m. on I-5 near milepost 197. The suspect allegedly began ramming a Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) contractor vehicle which was in the process of operating a lift over the slough with two contractors onboard.
Traffic monitor footage shows the suspect chasing the WSDOT contractor around the vehicle with a hammer. The contractor attempts to flee the suspect by jumping over a barrier but the suspect grabs him to the ground and begins attacking him.
Incredible video of a fight between what looks to be a motorist and two public works employees. WA State troopers on scene and firearm discharged. Developing… https://t.co/hWRqgzYcqN
— Lynnwood Times (@LynnwoodTimes) May 17, 2024
The footage then shows the suspect walking back to his car and getting in while a WSDOT worker attempts to stop him but the suspect reverses and nearly hits the worker with his vehicle. The suspect then moves his vehicle forward almost hitting the WSDOT contractor, gets out of his vehicle and gets in the driver’s side of the WSDOT vehicle before getting out after a few seconds and running across the interstate.
Shortly after WSP arrived on scene the suspect engaged in a physical altercation, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office said. During this altercation the WSP trooper withdrew and shot the suspect. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts.
WARNING: GRAPHIC FOOTAGE
Video of trooper shooting yesterday. The suspect died. He had a tool in hand and just seriously assaulted multiple and tried to car jack a car.
Now coming out he was on his way to kill a family member as well. And called 911 earlier to tell them his… pic.twitter.com/gDL7f2KVVW— PhotogSteve81 (@PhotogSteve81) May 17, 2024
One of the WSDOT contractors sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
Northbound Interstate 5 was closed while Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART) investigated the incident but has since reopened after about eight hours.
Positive identification of the decedent, as well as cause and manner of death will come from the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office.
SMART said they will continue to investigate the incident. SMART is a team of investigators, evidence technicians, records specialist, and public information officers from various Snohomish County law enforcement agencies and Washington State Patrol, who respond to, and investigate, police use of force incidents. There are civilian community members that also serve on the SMART team per the Law Enforcement Training and Community Safety Act (LETSCA). When the SMART investigation is complete, results will be forwarded to the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office for review.
EDITOR’S Note: Twitter video provided by photogsteve81 | Instagram | Linktree
Author: Kienan Briscoe
