FEDERAL WAY, WA – In the wake of a brutal encounter on Interstate 5, the man who died due to a stabbing wound has been named as 19-year-old Patriot Ryan Lemay of Federal Way. The incident, which unfolded around 2:40 p.m. on June 26, left three others seriously injured, according to Washington State Patrol (WSP).
WSP troopers rushed to the scene following reports of a violent disturbance near a black BMW. Upon arrival, the troopers discovered Lemay in the driver’s seat of the stolen vehicle, mortally wounded from a stab injury to his neck. Medical personnel declared him dead at the location.
As the investigation unfolded further, troopers discerned two more wounded individuals- a man and a woman- on the ground nearby, suffering from stab wounds. Another man was found lying on the ground with multiple gunshot injuries. The three injured people were promptly airlifted to local medical facilities for urgent treatment.
WSP Trooper Rick Johnson noted the initial confusion due to reports of the incident as a potential crash. However, subsequent investigations indicated that the violent incident was isolated to the stolen BMW, without any notable external influences.
In an unexpected twist, WSP detectives believe that the man with gunshot wounds, seated in the BMW’s backseat, may have carried out the attacks on his companions. The detectives continue to explore this angle as the investigation remains in progress.
The aftermath of the incident saw Interstate 5’s two northbound lanes and an off-ramp closed for over nine hours causing a significant traffic snarl, reported the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Investigators eventually uncovered a stolen handgun near the BMW, heightening the complexity of the case. Though the leading suspect is still receiving medical care in a local hospital, authorities expect him to be transferred to police custody upon medical clearance. The pending charges include suspicion of second-degree murder and two counts of first-degree assault.