A West Des Moines man is facing four counts of attempted murder after authorities say he opened fire on multiple vehicles along Interstate 35 in Warren County, injuring a woman and triggering a major highway investigation.
Andrew Tanaka, 27, was arrested Monday, Oct. 5, after law enforcement agencies responded to reports of gunfire on I-35 shortly after 3:30 p.m. Investigators said several 911 callers reported a man firing a gun while traveling northbound.
When officers arrived near the 56-mile marker, they found an adult woman with an apparent gunshot wound and several vehicles that had been struck by gunfire. The woman was taken to a local hospital, where her injuries were determined not to be life-threatening.
According to court documents, Tanaka was driving a black Chevrolet Equinox when he allegedly pulled alongside a Subaru Outback and fired at least two rounds into the vehicle. The female driver was struck in the shoulder.
Investigators allege Tanaka then continued north and caught up with another vehicle. A witness told police that he fired a shot toward a BMW before continuing along the interstate.
The situation escalated again when Tanaka’s Equinox rear-ended a Nissan Altima carrying two people. After the crash, the occupants of the Nissan reportedly got out to check on the other driver.
Police say Tanaka then exited his disabled vehicle while carrying a handgun and fired at least one shot into the Nissan’s windshield.
Officers later located Tanaka near the crash on the shoulder of I-35, where they took him into custody without further incident. Authorities said he was armed with a handgun when officers found him.
Court documents also state that Tanaka told officers, “I had to kill people today” after his arrest.
The shooting investigation forced authorities to close a significant section of I-35 for several hours while investigators processed the scene and worked to ensure the safety of motorists.
Tanaka remains in the Warren County Jail. He is being held on a $1 million cash bond and faces four counts of attempted murder. Court records indicate his next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16.
The Warren County Sheriff’s Office and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are continuing to investigate the incident.
Tanaka has been charged but has not been convicted. Under Iowa law, he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
