Poulsbo – A 20-year-old New Jersey man wanted for first-degree murder died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound early Tuesday morning after opening fire at vehicles near the Hood Canal Bridge.

Krishna Mahadevan-Prasad, 20, was stopped on eastbound State Route 104 at the west end of the bridge, traveling in a black Honda Accord. The bridge was closed to traffic for scheduled evening maintenance.

Mahadevan-Prasad, armed with a rifle and shotgun, allegedly opened fire on a Ford Expedition where a 28-year-old man was stopped with his 5-year-old and 6-year-old daughters. The children were asleep, leaned toward either door of the vehicle while the driver was leaned over toward the passenger’s seat, consulting a map. One of the shots fired into the vehicle went through the driver’s seat headrest and exited through the front windshield.

Mahadevan-Prasad turned and fired shots at a Dodge Caravan stopped behind his vehicle. The 30-year-old man was asleep and sustained a gunshot wound that grazed his elbow. He was treated and cleared by aid at the scene.

After firing at both vehicles, Mahadevan-Prasad appeared to have suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office is planning to conduct an autopsy Wednesday.

Mahadevan-Prasad was wanted by the Renton Police Department the suspect in the murder of a 38-year-old Bellevue woman who was found dead in a Renton motel. Due to the nature of the crime, the Renton Police Department is seeking public assistance learning about Mahadevan-Prasad’s activities the days leading up to the murder. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Renton Police Department at (425) 430-7573.

District 8 serves Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, Kitsap, Mason, Pacific and Wahkiakum counties.