Man Accused of Shooting at Cars on the Freeway

A man has been charged with assault over a number of incidents in which he allegedly shot randomly at cars on the freeway in Seattle.

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 and is being held on $1 million bail.
Perkins claimed he believed people were stealing his identity and following him.

Details of the Incidents

Eric Jerome Perkins, 44, is accused of randomly targeting cars along Interstate 5 in Seattle on Monday night. The shootings took place around 8:30 p.m., affecting three vehicles going north and three others heading south. Perkins allegedly used a borrowed Glock 40 handgun to fire at the cars. Six people were injured, one of them critically, with the first victim in a 2022 Tesla.

Perkins reportedly fired two shots at the Tesla, critically injuring one of the passengers. Other affected vehicles included a Kia where two adults were injured and a car in which a man’s wife was struck. Perkins was taken into custody early Tuesday morning without incident, and a handgun was found in his vehicle.

Legal Proceedings

Perkins has been charged with five counts of assault. He is being held at the King County jail on $1 million bail and is scheduled for arraignment on September 19. His past criminal record includes convictions in California for burglary, receiving stolen goods, and threatening with intent to terrorize and obstruct.

According to court documents, Perkins claimed he believed people were stealing his identity, as well as following and threatening him. He said he shot at the cars to get them to “back off.” This statement suggests a motive, though many view it as an irrational response that endangered countless lives.

Public Safety Concerns

As the court date approaches, the focus on this case will likely draw attention to the broader issues of mental health and public safety. The community and officials await the court’s decision and further examination of the circumstances and motives behind these alarming actions.