An alleged repeat weapon brandisher residing in Federal Way has been put behind bars.
On May 29, the Washington State Patrol reported that a 31-year-old suspect from Federal Way had been arrested by state troopers and detectives on May 22 in connection with two incidents involving weapon brandishings on state highways. The suspect was arrested, and detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s vehicle, leading to the discovery of a handgun, which was subsequently placed into evidence.
The arrest, which took place at approximately 7:30 a.m. May 22, follows an investigation that began with a 911 call on May 13. According to the caller, a female driving a black GMC Acadia with a Washington license plate allegedly pointed a black handgun at them and their niece twice while traveling on eastbound SR 18 between the Tiger Mountain summit and Interstate 90.
Troopers contacted the victim, obtained a statement that included the suspect’s license plate, and showed the victim a photo of the registered owner of the associated vehicle. The victim then identified the registered owner of the vehicle as allegedly the same person who brandished a weapon at them while operating the vehicle.
By cross-referencing the suspect’s license plate, the same vehicle was involved in a similar incident on June 30, 2023, on eastbound I-90, exiting to SR 18, according to the state patrol. In that incident, the victim called 911, but did not request the troopers to contact them.
Following the May 2024 incident, detectives spoke to the victim from the June 2023 incident. The victim said that in June 2023, the suspect cut them off while taking the exit to SR 18. Subsequently, the victim said they rolled down their window to talk to the suspect, and at that point, the suspect allegedly racked a round in the chamber of the gun and pointed the firearm at the victim. After showing that victim photos of the suspect, they identified the suspect as the same driver from the June 2023 incident.
On May 22, detectives utilized information about the suspect’s place of employment and travel patterns to organize surveillance in the area of routine travel. At about 7:30 a.m., with marked units assisting, a traffic stop was initiated on westbound I-90 just west of Preston, resulting in the suspect’s arrest without incident. The suspect was then booked into the King County Jail on two counts of assault in the second degree and felony harassment.
WSP detectives are seeking additional information on this weapon brandishing. Email Detective Sergeev at Ivan.Sergeev@wsp.wa.gov.
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