An Iowa man accused of shooting at vehicles on an interstate and injuring a woman allegedly told police after his arrest, “I had to kill people today,” according to court records.
Andrew Darrick Tanaka, 27, of West Des Moines, is charged with four counts of attempted murder in connection with Monday afternoon’s shootings on 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. Investigators say Tanaka made the admission after he was taken into custody.
The violence began at about 3:31 p.m. Monday, when authorities received a series of 911 calls reporting gunfire along 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 pursued the Subaru and fired at least two shots through the driver’s-side window. The woman behind the wheel was struck in her left shoulder.
Tanaka allegedly then caught up with the BMW and fired another shot through its driver’s-side window.
He 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 the crash, Tanaka allegedly stepped out of the Equinox with a handgun and fired at least one round into the car’s windshield.
Warren County sheriff’s deputies, West Des Moines police officers and Iowa State Patrol troopers responded to the reported gunfire near mile marker 56.
Authorities found the injured woman along with several vehicles that appeared to have been hit by bullets. She was taken to a hospital, where her injuries were described as not life-threatening.
Police later located Tanaka on the interstate after his vehicle was disabled in the collision.
According to the affidavit, Tanaka was standing on the highway shoulder with a handgun when officers arrived. He was arrested without further incident.
The shootings led authorities to close I-35 for several hours as investigators examined the scene and gathered evidence.
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 continuing to investigate the shootings.
