Inset: Andrew Tanaka (Iowa Department of Public Safety). Background: News footage from Martensdale, Iowa, following the reported shooting (WOI).
An Iowa man accused of trying to kill multiple motorists allegedly told investigators that he “had to kill people” on the day gunfire erupted along Interstate 35.
Andrew Tanaka, 27, remains in custody at the Warren County Jail following his Monday arrest. The Iowa Department of Public Safety said multiple agencies were called to I-35 in Martensdale at about 3:30 p.m. An affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime states that 911 callers reported seeing a man “discharging a firearm.” Responding officers found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound, along with several vehicles that had been hit by bullets.
Tanaka was located farther down the roadway, standing on the shoulder with a firearm, according to authorities.
Investigators said a witness watched Tanaka drive a black Chevrolet Equinox alongside a Subaru Outback before firing at least twice into the vehicle. One of the rounds struck the Outback’s female driver in the shoulder. The witness told police Tanaka then continued down the highway, caught up with her BMW and fired another shot in her direction.
Authorities allege that Tanaka continued north and collided with a Nissan Altima occupied by two people. When the Altima’s occupants stepped out after the crash to check on him, Tanaka reportedly exited his disabled Equinox while holding a handgun and fired once at the Nissan’s windshield.
Officers found Tanaka near the crash and took him into custody without incident. The affidavit says he later told police, “I had to kill people today.”
The injured woman was transported to a hospital, where she was treated for injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Tanaka faces four counts of attempted murder and is being held on a $1 million cash bond. His next court hearing is set for Oct. 16.