Illinois man fatally shot at Thurston County I-5 rest area Tuesday, troopers say
A 62-year-old Illinois man died after being shot at an Interstate 5 rest area near Rochester on Tuesday.
The shooting occurred before 4:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Maytown Rest Area on the southbound side of the highway, according to a Washington State Patrol news release.
In a press memo, WSP alleges a 31-year-old Olympia man shot and killed the 62-year-old man from Schaumburg, Illinois after a “verbal altercation” between the two pedestrians.
Troopers arrested the Olympia man on suspicion of second-degree murder and booked him into the Thurston County jail “without incident,” according to the news release.
The incident is under investigation and it’s unclear if drugs or alcohol may have been involved, according to the memo. Troopers reportedly closed the rest area for about five and half hours following the shooting.
WSP says the Illinois man’s identity will be released after his next of kin have been notified.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has relevant information can contact WSP Detective Brooke Bova at 360-701-8284.
