I-5 North in Everett is completely closed due to ongoing police operations

Interstate 5 (I-5) north in Everett at US 2 is currently completely closed, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) said Thursday.

WSDOT confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter, I-5 North is completely closed Thursday evening and the left lane of I-5 South near Marine View Drive is also closed. The state agency has advised everyone to avoid the area and use alternative routes.

🚨UPDATE #2: NB I-5 COMPLETELY BLOCKED AT US 2 IN #EVERETT

Please note that I-5 remains closed at US 2 in Everett. We are trying to control traffic between US 2 and Marine View Dr. to clear. The left lane of SB I-5 north of Marine View Dr. is also blocked.

There is no estimated time of arrival. Avoid the area and use ALTERNATIVE routes. https://t.co/f3km7kRy1f pic.twitter.com/gx9uJdaWNa

– WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) May 17, 2024

WSP Trooper Kelsey Harding wrote on Xformerly known as Twitter that the highway was “closed due to ongoing police operations.”

She also urged “everyone to avoid the area until the incident is resolved.”

Chris Loftis, a WSP spokesman, confirmed to the Daily Herald in Everett that the incident was an “officer-involved shooting,” but could not elaborate on what that meant.

The outlet also stated that it was unclear who exactly opened fire and how serious the injuries were.

After her first post on X confirming the I-5 closure and police activity, Harding added a second post on X saying that all media inquiries be routed through the Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team (SMART) Public Information Officer.

Effective immediately, traffic from I-5 will be rerouted to Highway 2 and Marine View Drive.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.