Man faces new charges for freeway shootings in Seattle area

On Labor Day, September 2, a man named Eric Jerome Perkins engaged in a shooting spree along Interstate 5 near Seattle, injuring five individuals. Following this, he continued his violent actions in Pierce County, where he allegedly fired at four more people in three separate vehicles. Perkins was charged with five first-degree assault counts in King County and four additional assault charges in Pierce County, along with a count of unlawful possession of a firearm due to his prior criminal history. Perkins has a significant criminal background, including multiple convictions in California for burglary and receiving stolen goods. His actions on the night of the shootings were reportedly motivated by a belief that he was being followed and threatened, leading him to take drastic measures to protect himself. He claimed to have borrowed a Glock 40 handgun from a friend to confront what he perceived as a threat. The incidents began when Perkins shot at a Tesla, injuring two women, one of whom remains hospitalized. He then targeted other vehicles, causing panic among drivers. Witnesses reported the aggressive behavior of Perkins, who was later apprehended in Pierce County shortly after midnight on September 3. Currently, Perkins is being held in King County jail with a bail set at $1 million. His arraignment for the initial charges is scheduled for September 19, and he has not yet secured legal representation for either case, raising questions about his defense strategy moving forward.