Iowa Man Faces 4 Attempted Murder Counts After I-35 Shooting Wounds 1

Q: What dark motive drove an Iowa man to randomly shoot at interstate drivers and declare he had to kill people today?

Authorities have not established a motive. Despite Andrew Darrick Tanaka’s alleged statement to officers — “I had to kill people today” — investigators have publicly said they do not yet know what drove the shootings, and the motive remains under investigation. What is known is that Tanaka, 27, of West Des Moines, allegedly fired at multiple vehicles along northbound Interstate 35 in Warren County on Monday afternoon, wounding one woman in the shoulder and shooting at several other motorists. Court records cited by local outlets say he later rear-ended another car and then fired into its windshield when the occupants stopped to check on him. The available evidence points to an apparently random and extremely dangerous attack rather than a known dispute with the victims. Authorities have not reported any connection between Tanaka and the people he allegedly targeted, nor have they released information indicating road rage, retaliation or another confirmed trigger. Tanaka was arrested without further incident after his vehicle became disabled. He is jailed in Warren County on four counts of attempted murder, with bond reported at $1 million cash only, and a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 16. At this stage, any darker explanation beyond his alleged statement would be speculation. The Warren County Sheriff’s Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are continuing to investigate.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 7

Andrew Darrick Tanaka, 27, was charged with four counts of attempted murder after authorities say he fired at multiple vehicles on Interstate 35 in Warren County, wounding a woman in the shoulder.
Court documents say Tanaka told police, "I had to kill people today," after his arrest; investigators have not disclosed a motive for the Monday afternoon shootings.
At least three vehicles were targeted, according to the affidavit: a Subaru whose driver was hit, a BMW shot through the driver's-side window, and a Nissan that Tanaka allegedly fired into after rear-ending it.
Officers found Tanaka on the highway shoulder with a handgun after his Chevrolet Equinox became disabled; he surrendered without further incident as the interstate remained shut for hours during the investigation.