A 40-year-old Kent man has pleaded guilty to second degree assault in connection with a 2025 drive-by shooting on I-5 near SR 516, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
Trooper said the incident occurred April 15, 2025, around 3:40 p.m., when a driver called 911 to report being shot at while traveling northbound on I-5 near the SR 516 interchange.
According to WSP, the suspect vehicle pulled alongside the victim’s car, and the driver brandished a handgun and fired a shot. The bullet struck the victim’s right rear tire, causing it to go flat, and also ruptured the gas tank.
Both vehicles exited to SR 516 and stopped at a red light, where the suspect exited his vehicle and confronted the victim again before leaving the area.
The victim recorded the confrontation, capturing the suspect’s face and a name tag on his work shirt, and provided the video and license plate information to investigators.
Troopers and Kent Police responded to the suspect’s residence, where they located the vehicle and set up a perimeter. The suspect later surrendered after his brother arrived and spoke with him, according to authorities.
Investigators said the suspect consented to a search of his truck and residence, where the handgun was recovered.
The suspect, identified as Leo Adolf Aiono, 40, of Kent, was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of second degree assault related to a drive by shooting. He was later charged by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and has now pleaded guilty to the charge.
“This is a great example of the tireless work that troopers and detectives do every day,” WSP said. “The WSP is extremely thankful for the Kent Police Department providing immediate assistance making it possible to take the suspect into custody without incident a short time after the crime was committed.”
