MARYSVILLE — It happened twice within two days.
A driver pointed a gun at strangers in Marysville.
Police arrested two men for the road-rage cases. The brandishings were unrelated, and happened within four miles of each other.
This is the latest in a string of similar arrests in Marysville.
In April, a 39-year-old man reportedly fired three to four shots from his car at another driver. No one was injured in the gunfire along Highway 9 heading into the city.
On June 25, a couple exited I-5 in their Honda Civic and headed toward Fourth Street. They pulled behind a gold van with Indiana license plates around 6:20 p.m. For some reason, the van driver pulled a gun.
The Honda Civic quickly backed up the off-ramp toward the interstate. Then, the pair decided to follow the van, according to a probable cause affidavit. They called 911 while keeping a distance of about 10 car lengths.
The suspect, 56, of Indiana, also called for help. He told a dispatcher what happened, and said the other driver was now following him.
Two hours later, the 56-year-old arranged to meet a trooper at the Washington State Patrol headquarters in Marysville. He was arrested on suspicion of assault and illegally carrying a firearm.
His license to carry a firearm was issued in his home state, according to court papers. Washington does not recognize weapon permits from Indiana because the application process is not as stringent there.
On the following night, road rage prompted another call to 911.
A 40-year-old Stanwood man was driving east on Marine Drive toward 27th Avenue NE. He saw a Toyota Corolla in his rearview mirror and decided to pull over to let the car pass, according to a probable cause affidavit. It was about 8:15 p.m.
Police said the Corolla driver may not have seen the Stanwood man pull to the side of the road. The two cars nearly collided. The Corolla driver pulled alongside the parked car and aimed a black handgun at the Stanwood man, according to court papers.
The Stanwood man watched the suspect, a 32-year-old Tulalip man, drive off. He traveled to the next traffic light at 33rd Avenue NE and stopped. The Stanwood man told police the suspect got out of his car and tried to spark another round of confrontation, leading him to call 911.
Police later arrested the suspect at a home in Everett where a handgun was found in a closet.
Suspects from both road-rage incidents were booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of first-degree assault. They posted bond and have been released pending charges.
Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
