The Arizona Department of Public Safety believes that two 18 wheelers were targeted this morning by the serial sniper that has been terrorizing Phoenix citizens for the past several days.
State troopers said that a truck driver called them around 9 a.m. this morning after he noticed what he believed to be a bullet hole in his truck during his pre-trip inspection after taking the truck over from another driver. Detectives arrived on the scene and gathered information. They said the truck driver was not in the vehicle when it was hit.
At 11:15 a.m., police were called to a truck stop at 67th Avenue and Lathum near I-10. A truck driver discovered a hole on his passenger side door near the window. Investigators took video and collected more evidence to confirm the shooting.
No injuries were reported from today’s shootings.
DPS Calls Shootings Domestic Terrorism
After confirming at least 11 shootings on I-10 in Phoenix in the past 12 days, the Department of Public Safety has called the string of serial shootings “domestic terrorism.”
DPS director Frank Milstead said, “Anytime that you have multiple shootings against American citizens on a highway, that’s terrorism. They’re trying to frighten or kill somebody.”
DPS: Only a Matter of Time Until Shootings Lead to Tragedy
While no one has been seriously hurt yet, DPS warns that it is only a matter of time before the shootings lead to tragedy.
Arizona State Troopers are keeping the results of their investigation close to the vest, as they say that releasing information could help the shooter or encourage copy-cat shootings.
Citizens Form Semi-Automatic Toting Task Force to Catch Sniper
DPS recently learned about a group of civilians who hope to combat the shooter. The group calls itself “Bolt Force.” Members wear body armor, dress in all black, and arm themselves with semi-automatic weapons. DPS appreciates the effort, but told the group that “we would prefer they let us handle this investigation.”
Arizona Offers Cash Reward for Information on Shooter
The state’s Silent Witness program is offering $20,000 for information leading to the arrest of the shooter. Anyone with information is asked to call the DPS at 602-644-5805 or Silent Witness at 480-948-6377.
Similar highway serial shooting have recently taken place in Akron, Cincinnati, North Carolina, Cleveland, Michigan, leaving many wondering if the incidents are related.
A full description from the DPS of the suspected shootings that occurred before today’s suspected truck shootings are listed below:
On Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 11:10 a.m., a SUV was traveling east on Interstate 10 at 19th Avenue and was struck by a bullet.
On Saturday, August 29, 2015, between 11:10 a.m. and 11:25 a.m., an unoccupied commercial tour bus was traveling west on Interstate 10 between 35th Avenue and 67th Avenue and was struck by a bullet.
On Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 10:15 p.m., a passenger car was traveling east on Interstate 10 at the mini-stack (east of 16th Street) and was struck by a bullet.
On Sunday, August 30, 2015, at 9:45 p.m., a passenger car was traveling west on Interstate 10 between Sky Harbor Boulevard and SR 51 and was stuck by a bullet.
On Monday, August 31, 2015, at 4:30 a.m., a pickup truck was traveling east on Interstate 10 between 24th Street and 40th Street and was struck by a bullet.
On Sunday, September 6, 2015, at 5:50 p.m., a box truck was traveling south on Interstate 17 near Dunlap Road and a ladder attached to it was struck by a bullet.
On Sunday, September 6, 2015, at 8:30 p.m., a passenger car was traveling west on SR 202 between 32nd Street and 24th Street and was struck by a bullet. This vehicle was involved in an earlier incident with another passenger car.
On Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at 5:21 a.m., a box truck was traveling west on Interstate 10 at 27th Avenue and was struck by a projectile.
On Tuesday, September 8, 2015, between 5:35 a.m. and 5:37 a.m., a pickup truck was traveling east on Interstate 10 between 43rd Avenue and 35th Avenue and was struck by a projectile.
On Wednesday, September 09, 2015, at 10:45 a.m., a pickup was traveling east on Interstate 10 near 39th Avenue and was struck by a projectile.
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Sources:
CBS News
Washington Post
The Daily Courier
12 News
ABC 15
Arizona Department of Public Safety
Fox News
ABC 15