Drive By Shooting Suspect Arrested In Lynnwood: Police

LYNNWOOD, WA - Using dash cam images of a partial license plate, Lynnwood investigators located and arrested the 24-year-old man thought to be responsible for a drive by shooting on Highway 99 early Wednesday.

Rafael Mercado Pineda, of Lynnwood, is currently being held at Snohomish County Jail. He faces numerous charges, including assault, malicious mischief, and drive by shooting.

According to Lynnwood police, Pineda was traveling south on Highway 99 in his silver and gold 2005 Honda Accord around 6 a.m. April 10 when he began driving recklessly, first following closely behind a Dodge Caravan before switching targets and flashing his lights at another driver in a Mini Cooper.

Around the intersection of 188th Street Southwest and Pacific Highway, Pineda and the Mini Cooper driver reportedly found themselves side by side. The victim driver would later tell police Pineda repeatedly looked over his way menacingly, but he was unsure as to why.

As the pair continued south, stopping at the intersection of 204th Street Southwest and Pacific Highway, the drivers ended up side by side once again, only this time Pineda reportedly began shouting at the other driver while he raised a rifle, stating, "Do you have a f------ problem, ese?"

The Mini Cooper driver told police he was "shocked and afraid" and unsure whether the rifle was real.

As the drivers proceeded through the intersection, the Mini Cooper driver told police he saw a flash and heard a gunshot before his car started to sputter and drag, eventually dying completely and refusing to start again. It immediately occurred to him Pineda had shot his car.

While speaking with the victim police saw a bullet hole near the front passenger-side headlight and fluid leaking from the car.

A witness to the incident, who was driving behind Pineda and the victim, was later interviewed by officers. The witness shared dash cam video that provided investigators with a partial license plate number. Backtracking the license plate, investigators identified the vehicle and its owner, Pineda's father.

After checking Pineda's family background, officers identified 24-year-old Rafael as a potential suspect based on previous criminal history.

Showing the victim a photo array of individuals that included the younger Pineda, police positively confirmed Rafael was the appropriate suspect, officials said.

After tracking down Pineda's location at his parents house, officers reportedly watched and waited for him to appear. When they saw Pineda return to the vehicle with his mother, officers arrested him, documents show.

Despite the presence of a rifle on the vehicle's floorboards — a rifle that matched witness descriptions of the one used in the shooting — Pineda denied any involvement in the incident, police said.

Pineda reportedly claimed to have been visiting friends early Wednesday before heading to his parents house. When confronted with video evidence of the shooting, Pineda reportedly refused to cooperate further.

Anyone who may have information that could assist this investigation is encouraged to call Lynnwood detectives at 425-670-5669.

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