Child struck by gunfire on I-5 in Tacoma. Troopers searching for suspect vehicle

An 11-year-old was shot Friday afternoon on Interstate 5 near the Tacoma Mall, according to the Washington State Patrol. Law enforcement is searching for the vehicle from which the shots were fired.

The shooting occurred at about 2:22 p.m. on northbound Interstate 5 as two vehicles went by the mall, Trooper Robert Reyer said. He said the child was in the backseat of a Honda CRV when several shots were fired from another vehicle. It’s unclear what prompted the gunfire.

Reyer said troopers were looking for a dark-colored Chevrolet Cruze.

The suspect vehicle continued north and exited to state Route 16 before exiting to Sprague Avenue, Reyer said.

The Honda driver exited the interstate and took the child to a Tacoma Fire Department station near South 38th Street and McKinley Avenue. Reyer said the child, who was alert and conscious, was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call detective Travis Calton at 253-538-3174.