A man faces formal assault charges for his alleged involvement in a string of random freeway shootings that have recently terrorized Seattle drivers.
At a Glance
- A 44-year-old man, Eric Jerome Perkins, is accused of randomly shooting at vehicles on Interstate 5 south of Seattle.
- Six people were injured, including one critically.
- Perkins has been charged with five counts of assault.
- Perkins is being held in King County jail on a $1 million bail.
- Perkins is scheduled for arraignment on Sept. 19.
Eric Jerome Perkins Charged with Assault
On Monday night, 44-year-old Eric Jerome Perkins allegedly embarked on a shooting spree, targeting vehicles on Interstate 5 south of Seattle. These attacks have sparked heightened concerns over public safety on local Seattle thoroughfares, prompting intensified investigative efforts from local law enforcement authorities.
Perkins allegedly targeted three cars driving north on I-5 and three other vehicles heading south. All but one of the cars had injured passengers, leading to a harrowing night for unsuspecting motorists.
Authorities took Perkins into custody early Tuesday morning without incident. A Glock 40 handgun, allegedly borrowed from a friend to “get cars to back off,” was found in his car.
A 44-year-old man accused of randomly shooting at vehicles on Interstate 5 south of Seattle, injuring six people including one critically, was charged with five counts of assault, King County prosecutors said today. https://t.co/KXEBQdQMVQ
— KTVZ NewsChannel 21 (@KTVZ) September 6, 2024
Injuries and Aftermath
The random shootings left six people injured, with one of them critically wounded. Victims included a passenger critically hurt in a 2022 Tesla, a man whose wife was cut by shattered glass, another passenger struck by a bullet in the lower back, and two adults in a Kia who sustained leg injuries.
“SEATTLE — A 44-year-old man accused of randomly shooting at vehicles on Interstate 5 south of Seattle, injuring six people including one critically, was charged with five counts of assault, King County prosecutors said Thursday. The State Patrol says Eric Jerome Perkins shot at three cars driving north on I-5 at around 8:30 p.m. Monday, and at three more vehicles heading south several hours later. People in all but one of the cars were injured. He’s being held in the King County jail on a $1 million bail and is scheduled for arraignment on Sept. 19.”
Authorities found that Eric Jerome Perkins aimed to protect himself from what he claimed were threats and attempts to steal his identity. According to Washington State Patrol Detective Russell Haake, Perkins “took matters into his own hands” and shot at the cars to get them to “back off.”
Following Legal Proceedings
Eric Jerome Perkins is currently being held in King County jail on a $1 million bail and is scheduled for arraignment on September 19. His criminal record includes convictions for burglary, receiving stolen goods, and making threats with intent to terrorize and obstruct.
“The defendant fired indiscriminately at multiple vehicles as he drove the busy freeways in the Seattle and Tacoma areas,” commented Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Stephen Herschkowitz.
Perkins’ claim that he shot at cars because he believed people were following him only adds to the complexity of this case. His actions underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation to prevent such incidents and restore public safety on Seattle’s roadways.
