Vancouver - On Saturday, September 3, 2016, at approximately 2:02 am, two vehicles were traveling east on State Route 500 near Thurston Way. A 1997 Honda Civic coupe, driven by 29 year Richard Chandra of Vancouver, was fired upon by a passing motorist. Detectives were able to determine at least ten shots struck the Honda by two different calibers of handgun. Chandra sustained a gunshot wound to his left knee. Chandra's passenger, 32-year-old Daniel Chandra of Vancouver, was sitting in the front passenger seat when a bullet grazed the back of his head. Both men were transported to PeaceHealth Southwest for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
According to the driver and witnesses, an unknown, dark colored type of vehicle was following closely behind the Honda before it moved to the left lane in an attempt to pass. Multiple shots were fired from the passenger side of the passing vehicle towards the driver side of Chandra's Honda. Chandra pulled his vehicle to the right shoulder and called 911. The suspect vehicle fled the scene eastbound on State Route 500 towards the Fourth Plain Blvd. area. Mr. Chandra told detectives he was traveling north on Interstate Five before traveling east on State Route 500 from the downtown Vancouver area.
Washington State Patrol detectives are seeking any witnesses or individuals who may have knowledge of the shooting or events leading up to this incident. Please contact Detective Jennifer Ortiz at (360) 449-7948 or email at jennifer.ortiz@wsp.wa.gov.