A 54-year-old Packwood woman could face up to life in prison after she was accused of shooting at a man inside his Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van off U.S. Highway 12 on Nov. 28.
Just before the shooting, the man, believing he was being followed by the woman, had reportedly slashed her tires.
Rhonda K. Harper and Jeffrie Summers both called 911 to report the “road-rage incident,” as described by the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office.
Harper was charged with one count each of first-degree assault, a Class A felony punishable by up to life in prison and $50,000 in fines; drive-by shooting, a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines; and second-degree malicious mischief.
As of presstime, Summers had not been charged in Lewis County Superior Court.
The probable cause affidavit filed by prosecutors details both parties’ alleged perspectives.
According to the affidavit, Summers reportedly said he was driving on Highway 12 when he pulled over to the side of the road to allow Harper to pass.
Instead of passing, Harper pulled her Dodge Durango over and stopped behind his van. Summers allegedly admitted to slashing the Durango’s tires with a knife.
Law enforcement reportedly determined the tire damage was consistent with Summers’ account.
Harper allegedly told law enforcement she had tried to pass the van — which she said was traveling at a slow speed — when Summers changed lanes and “ran her off the road.”
“A short while later, Summers pulled over to the side of the road, and she stopped behind him,” the affidavit states.
That’s when Summers allegedly exited his van and slashed Harper’s tires while Harper was still inside her Durango.
“Harper then said she got out of her vehicle and saw his reverse lights activate and felt she was going to be rammed,” the affidavit states.
Harper allegedly told law enforcement she first attempted to shoot the van’s tires from the driver’s side of her Durango before moving “out into the roadway and in front of her vehicle” while she continued to shoot.
According to the affidavit, Harper said she never saw the van reverse and said Summers “stayed in his vehicle the entire time she was shooting.”
Investigators reportedly found five shell casings of a caliber that matched Harper’s gun at the scene, along with four bullet holes in the van.
During Harper’s preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Paul Masiello said that, while Harper’s criminal history consisted of mostly dated misdemeanors, the state had concerns for community safety.
He added that Harper has had 10 arrest warrants issued in the past and asked the court for an order to surrender firearms.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller said that Harper had no felony history and dated misdemeanor history, adding that Harper resided locally and had no issues returning to court. Tiller said that Harper “can and will abide” by standard conditions of release, including no firearms.
Tiller further noted that Harper had described a person coming toward her with a knife and also contacted law enforcement after the incident.
After considering the arguments, Commissioner Cailen L. Cecil set bail at $75,000 cash or bond, and entered an order to surrender firearms and a no-contact order on behalf of Summers.
An arraignment was scheduled for Dec. 4, with Chris Baum assigned to represent Harper.
On Tuesday, the Washington State Patrol issued a news release requesting information from any witnesses who “may have been traveling through the area at the time of the incident or who observed the driving behavior of either vehicle prior to the stop.”
According to the state patrol, the incident occurred about 3:17 p.m., Friday, Nov. 28 around milepost 109 on Highway 12, putting it somewhere between Glenoma and Randle.
Troopers indicated Summers’ van pulled over near the 8500 block of the highway before Harper’s Durango stopped behind it.
“The male driver of the Mercedes exited his vehicle, approached the Dodge, and punctured the front two tires with a knife before returning to his vehicle,” the release states. “As the Mercedes driver attempted to leave, the driver of the Dodge exited their vehicle armed with a handgun and fired several shots at the Mercedes.”
The state patrol asked anyone with information to contact Detective Sergeant Justin Maier at Justin.Maier@wsp.wa.gov or 360-773-6740.
