EVERETT, WA – A man wielding a hammer who reportedly attacked Department of Transportation workers on Interstate 5 north of Seattle was fatally shot by a Washington state trooper, according to local law enforcement.
The incident, which occurred around 4 p.m. on Thursday, began with a road rage episode on the shoulder of the northbound I-5 in Everett, as per the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team. This team is tasked with investigating instances of police use of force.
The man, who was driving a vehicle, allegedly started ramming into a Department of Transportation contractor vehicle. This vehicle had a lift in operation over a slough, with two contractors aboard at the time of the incident.
During an ensuing altercation involving the workers and a state trooper, the driver was shot by the trooper. Despite attempts by law enforcement to provide aid, the driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
One of the Department of Transportation contract workers was injured during the incident but is expected to recover. The identities of the trooper involved in the shooting and the deceased man have yet to be released. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office is anticipated to confirm the driver’s identity and the cause and manner of his death.
The circumstances leading to the shooting, the number of shots fired, and the reason behind the driver’s alleged aggression remain unclear. The incident caused significant traffic congestion, with vehicles backed up for miles into the night.