Martensdale, Iowa — A 27-year-old Iowa man is facing four counts of attempted murder after police say he pulled alongside multiple drivers on Interstate 35 and opened fire before crashing his vehicle.
Andrew Tanaka was arrested Monday and remains in custody at the Warren County Jail following the shooting incident, which brought several law enforcement agencies to the highway near Martensdale at around 3:30 p.m.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety and an affidavit, multiple people called 911 to report a man “discharging a firearm.” When officers arrived, they found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound and several vehicles that had reportedly been struck by bullets.
Driver Shot as Suspect Allegedly Opens Fire
According to the affidavit, a witness told investigators she saw Tanaka driving a black Chevrolet Equinox and pulling alongside a Subaru Outback. Police allege Tanaka fired at least two rounds into the Subaru, striking the female driver in the shoulder.
The witness reportedly told investigators that Tanaka then continued driving before catching up with her BMW. According to the affidavit, he allegedly fired another shot at her vehicle.
The sequence of shootings continued as Tanaka traveled northbound along Interstate 35, according to investigators. The woman who was struck by gunfire was taken to a hospital for treatment. Her injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Police Say Crash Escalated the Situation
Investigators say Tanaka later rear-ended a Nissan Altima carrying two people. After the collision, the two occupants of the Altima reportedly got out of their vehicle to check whether Tanaka was okay.
According to police, Tanaka then exited his disabled Equinox while armed with a handgun. Investigators allege that he fired one round at the windshield of the Altima.
The incident then came to an end when officers located Tanaka near the crash scene. Police said they found him on the shoulder of the road near the disabled vehicles, still carrying a firearm.
Tanaka was arrested without incident, according to authorities.
Police Say Tanaka Made a Disturbing Statement
After his arrest, investigators questioned Tanaka about what had happened on the highway. According to the affidavit, Tanaka told police:
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“I had to kill people today.”
The statement is included in the affidavit as investigators continue to build their case against him.
Authorities have not indicated that anyone other than the woman who was shot suffered a gunshot injury. Several vehicles, however, were reportedly struck by bullets during the incident.
Four Attempted Murder Charges Filed
Tanaka has been charged with four counts of attempted murder in connection with the highway shooting. He is currently being held at the Warren County Jail on a $1 million cash bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 16.
The charges are allegations, and Tanaka is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of motorists who were traveling along Interstate 35 when the shooting began. Drivers reportedly encountered a rapidly unfolding situation involving multiple vehicles, gunfire and a crash before law enforcement was able to take the suspect into custody.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including what led to the alleged attacks and the events immediately preceding the crash.
What do you think about this disturbing incident on an Iowa highway? Share your thoughts in the comments and let us know what you think about the case.
