Iowa Man Accused of Opening Fire on Drivers Along Interstate 35

A routine afternoon drive on an Iowa interstate turned into a terrifying scene when a man allegedly pulled alongside other motorists and opened fire on multiple vehicles before crashing, according to police.

Andrew Tanaka, 27, is facing four counts of attempted murder after authorities say he fired at drivers along Interstate 35 near Martensdale, Iowa, on Monday afternoon.

Several 911 calls were made around 3:30 p.m. reporting a man firing a gun on the highway. When law enforcement arrived, officers found multiple vehicles that had been struck by gunfire and a woman suffering from a gunshot wound.

The woman was transported to a hospital with injuries that were considered non-life-threatening.

Gunfire on the Highway

According to an affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime, a witness told investigators that Tanaka was driving a black Chevrolet Equinox when he pulled alongside a Subaru Outback.

Police allege that Tanaka fired at least two rounds into the Subaru, striking the female driver in the shoulder.

Instead of stopping, authorities say the Equinox continued down the highway. The witness reportedly told investigators that Tanaka then caught up with her BMW and fired another shot in her direction.

The incident took another dangerous turn when Tanaka allegedly rear-ended a Nissan Altima carrying two people.

After the collision, the occupants of the Altima reportedly got out of their vehicle to check on the crash. Police allege that Tanaka then exited the disabled Equinox while carrying a handgun.

According to investigators, he fired another shot at the windshield of the Altima.

Officers eventually found Tanaka near the crash scene on the shoulder of the highway. He was allegedly still carrying a firearm when police took him into custody.

A Chilling Statement

Investigators say Tanaka made a disturbing statement after his arrest.

According to the affidavit, he told police: “I had to kill people today.”

Authorities have not said what prompted the alleged shooting spree or whether Tanaka knew any of the drivers involved.

The incident appears to have been random, with motorists suddenly finding themselves caught in a dangerous situation while simply traveling along the interstate.

For the woman who was struck by the gunfire, the consequences could have been far more serious. She survived the shooting and was treated at a hospital for her injuries.

Facing Multiple Attempted-Murder Charges

Tanaka is being held at the Warren County Jail on a $1 million cash bond.

He has been charged with four counts of attempted murder, according to court and law-enforcement information. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 16.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to determine exactly what led to the alleged attack and reconstruct the sequence of events along I-35.

The case has also raised questions about how a potentially deadly confrontation unfolded across several vehicles and continued for enough time to involve multiple motorists before the suspect’s vehicle was disabled in the crash.

Tanaka has been accused, not convicted, and the charges against him will be addressed in court. As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to examine the weapon, vehicle, witness accounts and other evidence gathered from the highway scene.

For drivers traveling that stretch of Interstate 35, however, the incident serves as a frightening reminder of how quickly an ordinary trip can turn into a life-threatening situation.

Source: Law&Crime, Iowa Department of Public Safety and court documents cited by investigators.