Iowa Man Arrested After Interstate Shooting Incident
An incident on an Iowa interstate has resulted in the arrest of a man accused of shooting at vehicles, injuring a woman. After his apprehension, the suspect allegedly confessed to police about his intentions, as outlined in court documents.
Andrew Darrick Tanaka, a 27-year-old from West Des Moines, has been charged with four counts of attempted murder following the shooting spree that occurred on Monday afternoon along Interstate 35 in Warren County, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
Reports say that after Tanaka was taken into custody, he made a troubling statement to law enforcement, claiming, “I had to kill people today,” according to a criminal complaint and affidavit submitted to the Warren County District Court.
The chaotic event unfolded at approximately 3:31 PM, when multiple 911 calls alerted authorities to gunfire audible along the northbound lanes of I-35.
Tanaka was reportedly driving a black Chevrolet Equinox when a black BMW overtook him on the interstate, followed closely by a Subaru Outback.
Investigators believe that Tanaka then chased the Subaru and fired at least two shots through its driver’s side window, hitting the woman inside in her left shoulder. Subsequently, Tanaka is said to have targeted the BMW, shooting at it as well.
After that, he rear-ended a gray Nissan Altima with two passengers. When the occupants of the Nissan pulled over to check on him, Tanaka allegedly exited his vehicle brandishing a handgun and fired at least one shot into their windshield.
Responding to calls of gunfire near mile marker 56 were deputies from the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, along with officers from West Des Moines and Iowa State Patrol troopers. They discovered the injured woman and several vehicles that showed signs of gunfire. Thankfully, her injuries were determined to be non-life-threatening, and she was transported to a local hospital.
Police later located Tanaka standing by the interstate after his vehicle became disabled from the earlier crash. He was found holding a handgun but surrendered without further incident when officers arrived on the scene.
The aftermath of the shootings compelled authorities to close down the interstate for several hours while the area was investigated.
Tanaka is currently booked in the Warren County Jail on four counts of attempted murder. The investigation into the shootings is being conducted by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
