An Iowa man accused of firing at vehicles on an interstate and injuring a woman allegedly told police after his arrest, “I had to kill people today,” according to court documents.
Andrew Darrick Tanaka, 27, of West Des Moines, faces four counts of attempted murder in connection with Monday afternoon’s shootings along Interstate 35 in Warren County, the Iowa Department of Public Safety said.
The alleged statement was included in a criminal complaint and affidavit filed Tuesday in Warren County District Court.
The incident began at about 3:31 p.m. Monday, when authorities received several 911 calls reporting gunfire on the northbound lanes of I-35.
According to the affidavit, Tanaka was driving a black Chevrolet Equinox when a woman in a black BMW passed him. The BMW then passed a Subaru Outback.
Investigators allege Tanaka caught up with the Subaru and fired at least two rounds through the driver’s-side window, striking the woman behind the wheel in her left shoulder.
He allegedly then pursued the BMW and fired another round through its driver’s-side window.
Tanaka continued north before rear-ending a gray Nissan Altima occupied by two people, the affidavit states.
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When the Nissan’s occupants stopped to check on him, Tanaka allegedly exited the Equinox with a handgun and fired at least one shot into the car’s windshield.
Warren County sheriff’s deputies, West Des Moines police officers and Iowa State Patrol troopers responded to reports of gunfire near mile marker 56.
Officers found the wounded woman along with several vehicles that appeared to have been hit by gunfire. She was taken to a hospital with injuries authorities said did not appear to be life-threatening.
Police later located Tanaka along the interstate after his vehicle became disabled following the collision.
He was standing on the highway shoulder with a handgun when officers arrived, according to the affidavit. Tanaka was taken into custody without further incident.
The shootings forced authorities to close the interstate for several hours as investigators processed the scene.
Tanaka was booked into the Warren County Jail on four counts of attempted murder.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are investigating the shootings.
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