BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Newly released court documents reveal the suspect’s version of events that led to a road rage shooting in Bellingham last week.

Kipp Snell was driving southbound on I-5 on the morning of Aug. 18 when the driver in the car behind him appeared upset that he was driving slowly. Snell claims the driver followed him off the highway and approached him while stopped at a red light at the intersection of Iowa Street and Moore Street.

He says the other driver then spat in his face through an open window and appeared to get ready to punch him before Snell grabbed his handgun and shot the man in his abdomen.

The victim then drove himself to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, where he underwent surgery. The extent of his injuries is currently unknown.

Bellingham Police investigators used photos of the suspect’s car to identify Snell as the shooter.

The 23-year-old Bellingham man was booked into the Whatcom County Jail later that day on first-degree assault and reckless endangerment charges.

He was released on bond the following night and has an arraignment set for Aug. 30.