SEATAC, Wash. — Emergency crews responded Wednesday afternoon to where four cars were struck by gunfire on southbound SR 509. No one was injured.
Police searched for hours for an "active shooter" near Sea-Tac Airport.
Cars were struck by gunfire near Des Moines Memorial Drive at 1:40 p.m.
Police told KIRO 7 the shots were fired at southbound traffic from a fixed position in the treeline.
State Patrol Public Information Officer Rick Johnson said the shooter may have set up on the eastern side of SR 509.
“What they looked at was the trajectory, and they believe the shots came from the east side of the freeway," said Johnson.
Both directions of SR 509 between S. 160th and Des Moines Memorial Drive were closed for hours. The gunfire caused a western runway at Sea-Tac airport to be temporarily closed as a precaution.
SWAT teams, the King County Sheriff's Office helicopter, Guardian One, and K-9 units helped search for the shooter. Detectives moved onto the northbound lanes to search for evidence.
Of the four cars struck, police said two of the cars stayed at the scene and two kept going.
One of the drivers whose car was hit told KIRO 7 she kept driving to get to safety.
“I had just taken a drink of water and all of a sudden there was glass everywhere," said Mary Ertl.
Though a bullet pierced her windshield, she said she did not stop or even flinch while driving.
"When I realized that it was a bullet, there was no way I was pulling over to the side of the road where somebody I don't know where they're at," said Ertl.
Mike Luiz was another one of the drivers whose car was struck by gunfire. The bullet went through his door and seat.
“I just ... the shock of when I got shot! I got to the office and I checked my car and saw the bullet hole," said Luiz.
Members of the public were asked to stay vigilant and avoid the area around SR 509 at S. 188th Street during the search for the active shooter.
Police said since the initial reported shooting, there may have been additional shots fired. Officers are working to confirm a timeline with input from witnesses. The Washington State Patrol said the shootings appear to be random.
KIRO 7's Ranji Sinha spoke with police at the scene.
"They're very lucky that no one was hit. ... We're very thankful that no one was injured," Washington State Trooper Rick Johnson said.
The WSP says the four vehicles were hit toward their left sides. In photos, bullet holes were seen in vehicle windshields and doors. One bullet also went through a vehicle's seat.
Around 8:44 p.m., officials said the search for the shooter had been completed.
The State Patrol wants to hear from anyone who believes they saw something suspicious near the treeline against the northbound 509 lanes, around 1:30 p.m.
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