Iowa Man Faces Attempted Murder Charges After Alleged Interstate Shooting Spree
Andrew Darrick Tanaka allegedly told authorities he 'had to kill people today' after firing into multiple vehicles.
An Iowa man is accused of opening fire on passing vehicles along a major interstate, wounding at least one woman, and allegedly told authorities he "had to kill people today" after his arrest. Andrew Darrick Tanaka, 27, of West Des Moines, faces four counts of attempted murder in connection with the Monday afternoon shootings along Interstate 35 in Warren County, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
Authorities allege Tanaka was driving a black Chevrolet Equinox when a woman in a black BMW passed him. The BMW then passed a Subaru Outback. According to a criminal complaint, Tanaka's vehicle allegedly caught up to the Subaru and he fired at least two rounds through the driver's side window, striking the woman in the left shoulder. He then allegedly caught up to the BMW and fired another round through its driver's side window.
When the occupants of a Nissan stopped to check on the driver of the Subaru, Tanaka allegedly exited his vehicle with a handgun and fired at least one round into the Subaru's windshield. Officers from the Warren County Sheriff's Office, West Des Moines Police Department, and Iowa State Patrol responded to reports of gunfire near mile marker 56.
Upon arrival, officers found the wounded woman and several vehicles that appeared to have been struck by gunfire. The woman was transported to a local hospital with injuries that authorities stated did not appear to be life-threatening. Tanaka was found standing on the shoulder of the highway holding a handgun and was taken into custody without further incident. Investigators allege Tanaka made the statement "I had to kill people today" to law enforcement after his arrest.
The incident forced authorities to shut down the interstate for several hours while the scene was processed. The Warren County Sheriff's Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are handling the ongoing investigation into the shootings. Tanaka was booked into the Warren County Jail on the attempted murder charges.