Two Vancouver men were injured early Saturday when their vehicle came under fire from another motorist on eastbound state Highway 500 near Thurston Way, according to the Washington State Patrol.
About 10 rounds were fired at a 1997 Honda Civic coupe in the 2:02 a.m. incident, said WSP Trooper Will Finn. The driver, a 29-year-old man, was shot in the knee and a 32-year-old man in the front passenger seat had a grazing bullet wound to the back of his head.
The injuries did not appear to be life threatening, Finn said.
Both men were transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center for treatment, Finn said.
The incident occurred just after 2 a.m. as the Honda was heading east on the highway. The driver told investigators that an unknown type vehicle began following closely and moved to the left lane to pass before a passenger in the other vehicle fired what is believed to be a 9 mm handgun at the driver’s side of the Honda, according to Finn. He said at least eight bullets were found in the car.
The driver of the Honda pulled the vehicle to the right shoulder and called 911. The suspect vehicle fled the scene eastbound state Highway 500 and has not been located, Finn said.
A portion of eastbound highway was closed to traffic for approximately four and half hours while troopers and detectives from WSP’s Criminal Investigation Division collected evidence. Motorists were detoured onto Thurston Way through the city of Vancouver.
The investigation is continuing, Finn said, and the WSP is withholding the names of the victims until it has been determined it is safe to release them.
