information from the Seattle Police Blotter

Police seized two guns after a road rage incident led to a shooting that caused a flat tire, just west of the lower West Seattle Bridge on Tuesday afternoon. 

At approximately 4:50 p.m., police responded to a road rage incident near West Marginal Way Southwest and Southwest Spokane Street. Two vehicles – a Honda and a Subaru – were involved and occupants of both vehicles (each car had a male driver and one female passenger) called 911 to report the incident. Accounts of the incident differed from car to car, as did several witness accounts. Police developed the following approximation of the events:

While driving south on Highway 99, the driver of the Honda and the driver of the Subaru engaged in a windows-down, verbal altercation about merging. The driver of the Subaru then allegedly spit on the passenger of the Honda. Both vehicles proceeded westbound from Highway 99, crossing the lower West Seattle Bridge and coming to a stop at the traffic light at West Marginal Way Southwest and Southwest Spokane Street. There, the driver and passenger of the Honda exited their vehicle and began banging on the windows of the Subaru. The Honda driver then allegedly punched the Subaru driver through the Subaru’s open window. The driver of the Subaru then attempted to leave the area, striking the Honda with his car in the process.

As the Subaru occupants were leaving, the driver of the Honda said he was struck by the Subaru, and was afraid he would be pinned between the two cars. For that reason, the Honda driver and the Honda passenger shot at the Subaru, striking the rear passenger side tire. However, the driver of the Subaru stated he and his passenger had already started to leave the area and the Honda occupants shot at their car as they were trying to get away.

Both drivers declined medical treatment at the scene.

The driver and passenger of the Honda both provided valid concealed carry licenses and surrendered their guns as evidence.