Crime Law

Woman hits cars while trying to escape Rainier Beach carjacker; shots fired

SEATTLE — Police say a woman hit multiple cars while trying to get away from a carjacker in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood.

On Tuesday at 2:22 p.m., a woman was driving a Dodge Challenger north on Rainier Avenue South, when she stopped at a red light at 51st Avenue South.

While she was stopped, a man walked up to her and physically tried to take her car, according to officers.

To try to get away from the man, the woman accelerated forward and backward, hitting several cars that were also stopped at the red light.

After the crashes, the woman continued to drive north on Rainier. Police said at least one other car appeared to be chasing after the victim, and the man who had tried to carjack her was seen limping behind the King Donuts store.

When the woman in the Challenger reached Cloverdale, someone in a Chevrolet Malibu pulled up next to her and started firing gunshots. She continued north on Rainier and was seen parking near 30th Avenue South and South Hanford Street.

The Malibu was abandoned in the northbound lanes of Rainier near Cloverdale. Investigators said evidence of a shooting was found near the car.

Patrol officers and Gun Violence Reduction Unit detectives found three crime scenes. The victim was interviewed.

Both the Challenger and Malibu were impounded to be searched for evidence.

Police said the suspect is known to GVRU detectives. His whereabouts are not known.