Phoenix freeway shooting suspect: ‘I’m the wrong guy’

A police spokesman says investigators identified their suspect in a string of Phoenix freeway shootings by checking pawn shops for guns matching the caliber of shell casings at the crime scenes.

Merritt was arraigned in connection with charges of shooting a gun at a tour bus, SUV and two cars.

Leslie Merritt Sr. said his son had purchased two guns and then pawned them for household needs.

“There’s some elation here that this piece of the pie has been solved, but we are still feverishly working to wrap up all these loose ends”, he said.

Merritt is facing a total of 28 felony charges, including four counts each of intentional terrorism, committing a drive-by shooting, endangerment, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, criminal damage, disorderly conduct and discharging a firearm within city limits, the Republic reports, citing court documents.

Merritt was arrested at a local Walmart Friday evening. I tried telling the detective that.

He was the only one taken into custody.

KPHO spoke with Merrit’s mother-in-law Cynthia Sauceda who said that he “has a big heart” and is not capable of harming anyone.

“We got him!”, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey tweeted after the arrest.

“The weapon and man we believe was responsible for starting this spree is in custody”, Milstead said.

Merritt’s father, Leslie Merritt, Sr., was reportedly “physically ill” upon hearing of his son’s arrest.

Ducey praised the work of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and said the investigation remains ongoing.

‘Leslie is not like that, ‘ she told KPHO . It also made what could have been a period of panic in Phoenix into an exercise in restraint and calm as police used a variety of techniques to pinpoint the suspected perpetrator.

Police say they’ve tied Merritt to four of the 11 confirmed shootings that have occurred between August . 29 and September 10.

“I do find that there is very sufficient probable cause regarding all these crimes”, said the judge. “Are there copycats? That is possible”, Milstead said.

A spokesman for the DPS declined to comment on the governor’s word choice. “I’m not going to deny that and I sure did say a prayer”. “Great work by Arizona DPS investigators and SWAT team”. Apprehended moments ago’. Most occurred along Interstate 10, a major route through the city. The only person injured was a 13-year-old passenger who was hit by flying glass. In 2002, John Muhammad and Lee Malvo struck fear into many Americans as they sniper-attacked and killed 10 people near the nation’s capital.

Eleven vehicles were shot at on or near the I-10 freeway running through Phoenix since August . 29, authorities have said, although some of those incidents involved bullets and others were what has been only described as projectiles.

Police had detained another man in connection to the shootings, but he was released after Merritt was arrested.

Messages seeking tips about the shootings will remain posted on electronic signs along freeways, and a $50,000 reward is still available, Graves said.