Accused I-5 shooter reaches plea deal, blames partner
On Wednesday Richard F. Blake, 31, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm in the first degree, effectively reversing his not guilty plea entered in September. Blake, as a convicted felon, is not allowed to possess firearm.
Investigators have said two men, including Blake, were involved in the Aug. 29 shooting spree in North Seattle. And even though they've already released the other man due to insufficient evidence, U.S. attorneys said under the language of the plea agreement, Blake claims the other man fired the majority of the shots.
The incident shut down I-5 for several hours, trapping thousands of motorists while police searched for the source of the gunfire. As police converged on the area near the interstate and North 90th Street, multiple rifle shots were fired within 50 yards of officers.
Despite the gunmen's proximity to the trapped motorists and to police, no injuries or property damages were reported.
Police quickly arrested one man without incident. Blake, however, ran.
After a two-hour standoff, police arrested Blake in the nearby woods. Blake told officers he didn't have a weapon, but later added, "You'll never find it," according to court documents.
 Trash and debris litter the remnants of Blake's campsite. |
A search of the woods yielded two backpacks containing weapons and camping gear, including shotgun shells, the U.S. Army Special Forces medical manual, a fixed-bladed knife, a MAK-90 rifle and a 7.62-caliber semi-automatic rifle.
Two sleeping bags and a tent were also at the location, and investigators have since said Blake is a transient who lives in the woods.
When asked for a motive, Blake told officers, "It doesn't matter because I am going to be railroaded anyway," according to court documents.
Blake would not specify on his target and only said, "If I had wanted to shoot officers, you would have had some dead cops."
Once in custody, Blake asked to be placed under suicide watch. A judge later set his bail at $500,000.
Blake's mother told police her son had been diagnosed with a bi-polar disorder and remains untreated. Prosecutors said the felon's statements to police display symptoms of paranoia.
Blake faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced in March.