Shooting Inside Vehicle Shuts Down I-5 Northbound at I-405 in Tukwila
TUKWILA, Wash. — A shooting inside a vehicle brought traffic to a standstill on Interstate 5 Friday afternoon, prompting a full closure of all northbound lanes at the I-405 interchange in Tukwila. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) confirmed the incident occurred just before 3 p.m., temporarily halting traffic and leading to significant delays across the area.
According to authorities, the situation unfolded when a gunshot was fired from within a vehicle traveling on the freeway. A male occupant of the vehicle sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials say the man’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
A woman who was also in the vehicle at the time of the shooting is said to be cooperating fully with investigators. While details remain scarce, WSP confirmed there is no threat to the public, emphasizing that the gunfire was confined to inside the vehicle.
As part of the investigation, WSP temporarily shut down all northbound lanes of I-5 at the I-405 interchange. The ramp from I-405 to northbound I-5 was also closed, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The closures caused major traffic disruptions during the busy Friday afternoon commute.
By late afternoon, WSP announced that lanes were expected to reopen shortly as troopers completed their on-scene investigation.
Authorities have not released the identities of those involved, and the circumstances leading to the gunfire remain under investigation.
Motorists in the area were urged to seek alternate routes during the closure.