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Mysterious Phoenix highway shootings put drivers and police on high alert Mysterious Phoenix highway shootings put drivers and police on high alert
(about 1 hour later)
In bright orange letters, the overhead electronic sign informed drivers heading westbound on Interstate 10 how many minutes it would take them to reach the suburb of Peoria. Then the message blinked to a much less routine number – the phone contact for the “I-10 shooter tip line”.In bright orange letters, the overhead electronic sign informed drivers heading westbound on Interstate 10 how many minutes it would take them to reach the suburb of Peoria. Then the message blinked to a much less routine number – the phone contact for the “I-10 shooter tip line”.
A mysterious series of shootings in the past two weeks is alarming motorists in America’s sixth-biggest city and making police scramble to find whoever is taking potshots at vehicles on one of the country’s busiest highways.A mysterious series of shootings in the past two weeks is alarming motorists in America’s sixth-biggest city and making police scramble to find whoever is taking potshots at vehicles on one of the country’s busiest highways.
The Arizona department of public safety said on Thursday it was investigating 11 shootings between 29 August and 10 September, mostly along an eight-mile stretch of freeway that bustles through central Phoenix towards Los Angeles in the west and El Paso in the east. The Arizona department of public safety said on Thursday it was investigating 11 shootings between 29 August and 10 September, mostly along an eight-mile stretch of freeway that bustles through central Phoenix towards Los Angeles in the west and El Paso, Texas, in the east.
Bullets were involved in eight of the shootings, police said, and what they termed “projectiles” were used in the other three, possibly fired from a pellet or air gun. There has been one reported injury: a 13-year-old girl cut by broken glass when a bullet shattered a window last month.Bullets were involved in eight of the shootings, police said, and what they termed “projectiles” were used in the other three, possibly fired from a pellet or air gun. There has been one reported injury: a 13-year-old girl cut by broken glass when a bullet shattered a window last month.
It all began on a Saturday morning at 11.10am, when an SUV travelling east on I-10 was struck by a bullet. A couple of minutes later, a tour bus empty of passengers was hit by a bullet on the same freeway, going west.It all began on a Saturday morning at 11.10am, when an SUV travelling east on I-10 was struck by a bullet. A couple of minutes later, a tour bus empty of passengers was hit by a bullet on the same freeway, going west.
Later that night, near 16th Street, a bullet penetrated another car on I-10. A car and a pickup truck were hit in the next two days. Then there was a pause, until on 6 September at 5.50pm, a ladder attached to a truck was struck by a bullet on Interstate 17. Two hours and forty minutes later, a car was fired on while travelling on a road close to Phoenix Sky Harbor airport.Later that night, near 16th Street, a bullet penetrated another car on I-10. A car and a pickup truck were hit in the next two days. Then there was a pause, until on 6 September at 5.50pm, a ladder attached to a truck was struck by a bullet on Interstate 17. Two hours and forty minutes later, a car was fired on while travelling on a road close to Phoenix Sky Harbor airport.
On 8 and 9 September, three vehicles were hit on Interstate 10, including the private vehicle of a police sergeant who was driving to work before dawn.On 8 and 9 September, three vehicles were hit on Interstate 10, including the private vehicle of a police sergeant who was driving to work before dawn.
On Thursday morning, police added another to the tally.On Thursday morning, police added another to the tally.
“Detectives were called to the area of 83rd Avenue and Latham to investigate a hole found in the side of a commercial truck-tractor pulling a semi-trailer. It was determined the hole was caused by a bullet strike. It has not been determined when or at what location the semi-trailer was struck,” a statement said.“Detectives were called to the area of 83rd Avenue and Latham to investigate a hole found in the side of a commercial truck-tractor pulling a semi-trailer. It was determined the hole was caused by a bullet strike. It has not been determined when or at what location the semi-trailer was struck,” a statement said.
Robert McDonald, the driver of the tour bus, told NBC News a bullet hit the seat behind him, coming close to grazing his shoulder. “If I would have moved my head I would have got hit,” he said.Robert McDonald, the driver of the tour bus, told NBC News a bullet hit the seat behind him, coming close to grazing his shoulder. “If I would have moved my head I would have got hit,” he said.
Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona department of public safety, said in a news conference on Tuesday that the acts are “domestic terrorism” and a “real and continuing threat”. He has brought in local police, the FBI and ATF, as well as Swat team members and undercover detectives.Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona department of public safety, said in a news conference on Tuesday that the acts are “domestic terrorism” and a “real and continuing threat”. He has brought in local police, the FBI and ATF, as well as Swat team members and undercover detectives.
Authorities have raised the reward for information leading to an arrest from $5,000 to $20,000. An armed vigilante group told reporters it was making patrols in the hope of catching the shooter – or shooters, if accomplices or copycats are involved.Authorities have raised the reward for information leading to an arrest from $5,000 to $20,000. An armed vigilante group told reporters it was making patrols in the hope of catching the shooter – or shooters, if accomplices or copycats are involved.
Other than the choice of road, the attacks appear random. It is unclear whether shots are being fired from a moving vehicle or a stationary position. With numerous overpasses, buildings and side roads dotting the dense urban landscape, there is no shortage of potential vantage points and easy escape routes.Other than the choice of road, the attacks appear random. It is unclear whether shots are being fired from a moving vehicle or a stationary position. With numerous overpasses, buildings and side roads dotting the dense urban landscape, there is no shortage of potential vantage points and easy escape routes.
The stretch of the I-10 was used by 262,000 vehicles daily in 2008, according to federal figures. Thursday’s torpid evening rush-hour traffic testified to the number of drivers still taking it. For many in a sprawling, car-centric metropolitan area with limited public transport, the road is essential.The stretch of the I-10 was used by 262,000 vehicles daily in 2008, according to federal figures. Thursday’s torpid evening rush-hour traffic testified to the number of drivers still taking it. For many in a sprawling, car-centric metropolitan area with limited public transport, the road is essential.
Still, some are choosing to add to their commute time but reduce the risk.Still, some are choosing to add to their commute time but reduce the risk.
“I don’t think I’m gonna drive on the I-10,” said Rey Aguirre, who works at the Lopez Tire Shop, just off the freeway. “I look all the time to see if some cars are suspicious.”“I don’t think I’m gonna drive on the I-10,” said Rey Aguirre, who works at the Lopez Tire Shop, just off the freeway. “I look all the time to see if some cars are suspicious.”
The 28-year-old said he would be sure to find an alternative route if he was talking his children somewhere. “With the family, it’s not safe,” he said.The 28-year-old said he would be sure to find an alternative route if he was talking his children somewhere. “With the family, it’s not safe,” he said.
On the south side of I-10, surrounded by dense rows of white washing machines at the appliance store run by his uncle, Juan Campana, 18, said he was “a little scared” and said it was “scary” that the police had not yet made an arrest.On the south side of I-10, surrounded by dense rows of white washing machines at the appliance store run by his uncle, Juan Campana, 18, said he was “a little scared” and said it was “scary” that the police had not yet made an arrest.
“I wouldn’t walk at night, not in this area,” he said. “If I saw someone standing there I’d probably call the cops”. “I wouldn’t walk at night, not in this area,” he said. “If I saw someone standing there, I’d probably call the cops.”
On Thursday, law enforcement responded to calls from motorists fearful that sudden cracks or dents to their cars might not be caused by a routine piece of road debris, but something more disturbing.On Thursday, law enforcement responded to calls from motorists fearful that sudden cracks or dents to their cars might not be caused by a routine piece of road debris, but something more disturbing.
Related: Washington sniper put to deathRelated: Washington sniper put to death
Phoenix was on edge nine years ago, when Dale Hausner and an accomplice went on a series of homicidal joyrides, shooting 25 people and killing eight of them. Hausner died in prison in 2013.Phoenix was on edge nine years ago, when Dale Hausner and an accomplice went on a series of homicidal joyrides, shooting 25 people and killing eight of them. Hausner died in prison in 2013.
The 2002 Washington DC-area sniper attacks left 10 dead. Since then, high-profile shooting incidents have taken place along major roads in Ohio, Michigan and Kansas City, in a queasy collision of two American cultural staples: cars and guns.The 2002 Washington DC-area sniper attacks left 10 dead. Since then, high-profile shooting incidents have taken place along major roads in Ohio, Michigan and Kansas City, in a queasy collision of two American cultural staples: cars and guns.
As well as the signs promoting the tip line, I-10 drivers passed a giant electronic advertising hoarding flashing a graphic that, in the circumstances, took on sinister undertones. A crosshairs image promoted an event this weekend at the Arizona state fairgrounds: the Crossroads of the West gun show.As well as the signs promoting the tip line, I-10 drivers passed a giant electronic advertising hoarding flashing a graphic that, in the circumstances, took on sinister undertones. A crosshairs image promoted an event this weekend at the Arizona state fairgrounds: the Crossroads of the West gun show.