(Added: 11 pm WSDOT camera image showing SB closure)
9:01 PM: According to emergency-radio communication, Highway 509 SB is closed right now as responders deal with a shooting victim in a car. Vehicles headed SB on 509 are being detoured off at Cloverdale; a NB ramp in the area is to be closed as well. No info yet on the shooting circumstances, nor on the shooting suspect(s); King County Sheriff’s Office deputies are investigating. (added) They’ve told dispatch that they’ve found two casings.
9:13 PM: Also per radio communication, the victim, a 20-year-old man, is being taken to Harborview. Access to NB 509 is limited, per WSDOT traffic alert.
10:25 PM: Southbound 509 and one NB lane remain closed. The State Patrol has taken over the investigation.
10:50 PM: WSP says the victim was driving when he was shot in the face.
5:08 AM: All lanes of 509 are open again.
7:56 AM: According to the State Patrol’s early-morning news release, the 20-year-old victim is from Federal Way. They believe he was shot by someone in another southbound vehicle, no description. After the shooting, he crashed into the jersey barrier. Another 20-year-old man in his car was unhurt.
ADDED 5:20 PM MONDAY: The State Patrol confirms the victim has died and sent this news release:
At approximately 8:40pm on December 29, 2019, Washington State Patrol (WSP) received a 911 call reporting a one car collision SB SR 509 near Cloverdale. Once troopers arrived it was evident that the driver of the vehicle had been shot in the face and CPR was initiated. The driver was transported to Harborview Medical Center and sadly died from his injuries earlier today.
The information that WSP detectives have at this point is that the victim vehicle was traveling SB SR 509 near Cloverdale when an individual in an unknown vehicle fired and struck the driver causing the vehicle to strike the barrier that divides the north and southbound lanes. The passenger in the vehicle was unable to provide a description of the vehicle that the shots came from.
Detectives were able to recover items of that were placed into evidence and are being analyzed at the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab.
Detectives are also working closely with our local and federal partners to further this investigation to bring the suspect in this horrible crime to justice.
WSP detectives are seeking anyone with information about this tragic incident significant or not to contact Detective Sergeant Stacy Moate at (425) 401-7745 or by email at Stacy.Moate@wsp.wa.gov.
This shooting incident unfortunately was not the only one that occurred in King County in the past few days. On December 26, 2019 at approximately 10:00pm, two vehicles were traveling SB I-5 near S.188th exchanging gunfire. One of these vehicles rear ended another vehicle not involved in the shooting. This vehicle along with the other vehicle that was exchanging gunfire fled the scene. The vehicle that caused the collision became disabled near S. 200th and the driver fled on foot but was apprehended a short time later. He was booked into the King County Jail on multiple charges. The vehicle he was driving was stolen and had switched plates.
On December 29, 2019 at approximately 1:55pm, Washington State Patrol received 911 calls that a vehicle was firing shots into the air SB I-5 near SR 516. One of the witnesses was able to obtain the license plate and a great description which led to troopers intercepting the vehicle SB I-5 near SR 18. There were total of four occupants in the vehicle. all of which were booked into the King County Jail for Reckless Endangerment along with the driver being booked for Investigation of Driving Under the Influence. No injuries were reported in this incident.’
The Washington State Patrol encourages anyone that observes any incidents like the ones detailed above to call 911 and provide as much information as possible. Working closely with our partners in law enforcement as well as information from the public has led to solving cases and will lead to solving the latest case.
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