KING COUNTY, Wash -- The man accused of injuring six during an hours-long shooting spree along Interstate 5 in September has had his competency to stand trial restored.
Perkins was deemed incompetent to stand trial in October by a King County judge and was placed in custody of the Department of Health and Human Services (DSHS). The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office (KCPAO) now says Perkins was found to be competent for trial at a hearing Wednesday and will be arraigned on Jan. 15.
During an October competency evaluation with a psychologist, Perkins' presentation was consistent with delusional disorder and substance induced psychosis, according to a DSHS report obtained by KING 5.
"While based on limited information, I believe aspects of apparent paranoia would likely interfere with his ability to effectively participate in his defense. The most clear aspect was that he would not work with an attorney who believed he had a mental illness, and it was apparent he was frustrated that even the current evaluation was ordered," the DSHS psychologist wrote in the competency report.
As recently as the day before the shootings, court documents show the suspect had been at Tacoma General Hospital "for an evaluation" and that the suspect had recently become homeless.
"The doctors said that I was perfectly sane since 9 years old, perfectly sane," Perkins said in court. "Now at 44 years old because of the situation I was put in, and I alerted the police that I was put in a situation, and now they're trying to say that I have mental problems."
Perkins is believed to have hit at least nine different vehicles during a shooting spree that lasted from 8:26 to 11 p.m. on Sept. 2.
Six people were injured, including two people with critical injuries, three people with graze wounds and one person who had abrasions and shattered glass in their eye, according to Washington State Patrol.
"All I could think about was how close the bullet was to my kids," one victim who spoke anonymously to KING 5 in September said. "I think the worst part is my 7-year-old seeing all of that. It just isn't fair."