Suspect arrested in 2021 road rage shooting on Interstate 5 onramp
The Washington State Patrol arrested a suspect in a drive-by shooting that occurred in Tacoma nearly one year ago on Friday.
Rodney L. Hebert was arrested in downtown Seattle after an arrest warrant was issued for him for attempted murder in the first degree, first-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree.
Hebert was reportedly driving a blue Kia Optima on May 28, 2021, when he fired a gun at the driver in front of him on the Interstate 5 onramp at East 28th Street in Tacoma.
The victim, who told authorities he was formerly homeless, was attempting to give money to a homeless person who was panhandling at the intersection before the incident occurred.
After the light turned from red to green, the victim had not immediately started to drive when Hebert began honking his horn.
He then pulled up beside the victim and began yelling and making gestures at him.
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The victim yelled back at Hebert, who then fired his gun at the victim, striking him in the leg.
Hebert fired two additional bullets, one of which struck the victim’s vehicle just above his head.
Troopers and detectives worked the case for almost a year, utilizing Washington’s Most Wanted to share surveillance videos and photos with the public, before multiple tipsters identified Hebert as the suspect.
After detectives were unable to locate Hebert at any of his listed addresses, charges were referred to Pierce County prosecutors.
On Thursday, an alert for Hebert’s arrest was disseminated among Washington state law enforcement, and a team of WSP detectives and SWAT members organized a plan to locate and apprehend Hebert.
The next day, Puget Sound Auto Theft Taskforce detectives surveilled Hebert and followed him to his place of employment in downtown Seattle.
Hebert was apprehended by WSP SWAT without incident after he was spotted parking his vehicle.
Authorities say Hebert had a firearm on him at the time of his arrest, but it was not brandished or used during the arrest.
