An Iowa man accused of firing at vehicles traveling along an interstate and injuring a woman allegedly told police he had intended to kill people, according to court records.
Andrew Darrick Tanaka, 27, of West Des Moines, was charged with four counts of attempted murder following Monday afternoon’s shootings on Interstate 35 in Warren County, the Iowa Department of Public Safety said.
After his arrest, Tanaka allegedly told investigators, “I had to kill people today,” according to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed Tuesday in Warren County District Court.
The violence began at about 3:31 p.m. Monday, when authorities received multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire along the northbound lanes of I-35.
Andrew Darrick Tanaka, 27, faces four counts of attempted murder after allegedly opening fire on multiple vehicles along Interstate 35 in Iowa on Oct. 5, 2026. (Iowa Department of Public Safety)
According to the affidavit, Tanaka was driving a black Chevrolet Equinox when a woman in a black BMW passed him on the interstate. The BMW then overtook a Subaru Outback.
Investigators allege Tanaka pursued the Subaru and fired at least two shots through the driver’s-side window. One bullet struck the woman behind the wheel in her left shoulder.
He allegedly then caught up with the BMW and fired another shot through its driver’s-side window.
Tanaka continued north before crashing into the rear of a gray Nissan Altima occupied by two people, the affidavit states.
Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shootings along Interstate 35 in Iowa. (Stephen M. Katz/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
When the Nissan’s occupants stopped to check on him, Tanaka allegedly stepped out of his vehicle carrying a handgun and fired at least one round into the car’s windshield.
Deputies with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, West Des Moines police officers and Iowa State Patrol troopers responded to reports of gunfire near mile marker 56.
Officers found the injured woman and several vehicles that appeared to have been hit by bullets. She was taken to a local hospital, where her injuries were described by authorities as not life-threatening.
Police later located Tanaka along the interstate after his vehicle was disabled in the collision.
The Des Moines skyline is seen from the lookout at Two Rivers Park on Oct. 9, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Cody Scanlan/The Register / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
According to the affidavit, he was standing on the highway shoulder with a handgun when officers arrived. Tanaka was arrested without further incident.
The interstate remained closed for several hours as investigators processed the shooting 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 leading the investigation into the highway shootings.
