10th Shooting in 12 Days Reported on I-10 near Phoenix, No One Injured
A $20,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest.

NBCNEWS.com
By M. Alex Johnson | Sept 10, 2015, 12:21AM

A day after Arizona authorities used the word "terrorism" to describe a series of shootings along Interstate 10 in the Phoenix area, a 10th shooting in 12 days was reported Wednesday.

A pickup truck traveling east on I-10 in Maricopa County when it was "struck by a projectile" Wednesday morning, the state Department of Public Safety said.

No one was injured, said authorities, who gave no further details. The driver of the truck told NBC station KPNX of Phoenix that investigators suspected that his truck had been hit with a BB, which shattered the rear passenger-side window.

State police said Tuesday that five of the nine other similar attacks dating to Aug. 26 had been confirmed as shootings, calling the others "incidents involving projectiles." They updated that Wednesday to describe all of the cases as "shooting incidents."

It remains unclear whether all of the incidents are related, but Col. Frank Milstead, the state director of public safety, called them "terrorism" Tuesday.

More at link (video): http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/10th-shooting-12-days-reported-i-10-near-phoenix-no-n424726

Follow-up to above article. A person of interest who was arrested last week (on unrelated charges) was released from custody today. He could be a key to this latest arrest.

Governor: Suspect Arrested in Phoenix Freeway Shootings

ABC NEWS
By Paul Davenport and Terry Tang, AP | Sept. 18, 2015, 10:27 PM ET



Officials say a suspect has been arrested in connection with a string of shootings along Phoenix-area freeways that have kept drivers on edge for weeks.

A spokesman for Gov. Doug Ducey says a man was taken into custody around 7 p.m. Friday at a Wal-Mart in Glendale, a suburb west of Phoenix.

No other details were immediately released.

Since Aug. 29, there have been 11 confirmed shootings of vehicles in the Phoenix area involving bullets or other projectiles.

More at link: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/man-released-questioning-phoenix-freeway-shootings-33864489

Suspect Charged in Arizona Freeway Shootings

ABC News | September 23, 2015, 12:57PM



Leslie Allen Merritt Jr. has been charged in connection with a string of shootings on Interstate 10 in Arizona that terrorized a community and made drivers reluctant to hit the road, according to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office.

Merritt faces 16 felonies, including five counts of aggravated assault, four counts of drive-by shooting and three counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm. Terrorism charges were dropped, authorities said.

Merritt was arrested Friday, according to a spokesman for Gov. Doug Ducey. At a news conference, Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, said that Merritt, 21, was allegedly linked to four shootings that took place on Aug. 29 and 31 "because the weapon that he owned is forensically linked to these crimes."

[...]
Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Bart Graves said Friday that Merritt is the suspect in at least four incidents. Authorities said they continued to investigate the other seven incidents.

Merritt was ordered held on $1 million cash bond, but protested to the judge, saying police have "the wrong guy."

Investigators checked pawn shops for guns matching the caliber of shell casings at the shootings, police said, and when a gun pawned by Merritt was test-fired it was determined to be a match, authorities said.

More at link: http://abcnews.go.com/US/suspect-charged-arizona-freeway-shootings/story?id=33981016

Phoenix freeway shootings: Suspected shooter, Leslie Merritt, Jr., could face 100 years in prison

Associated Press | Sept. 30, 2015, 4:20PM MST

PHOENIX - A man suspected in some of the freeway shootings that rattled the Phoenix area could go to prison for 100 years if convicted.

Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery said Wednesday each of the four shootings that 21-year-old Leslie Allen Merritt Jr. is accused of committing carries a possible sentence of 20 to 30 years.

Montgomery says investigators continue to review information and more charges are possible.

He called Merritt's arrest "significant" enough that the public can rest easy.

Merritt, of suburban Glendale, has said he is innocent.

He is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday on 15 felony counts, including aggravated assault and carrying out a drive-by shooting.

More at link: http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/phoenix-freeway-shootings-suspected-shooter-leslie-merritt-jr-could-face-100-years-in-prison

Suspect in Phoenix freeway shootings enters not guilty plea

By KTAR Newsroom | October 1, 2015, 9:09AM

PHOENIX — A man suspected in four of the freeway shootings in the Phoenix area starting in late August pleaded not guilty on Thursday.

Leslie Allen Merritt Jr. faces 15 felony charges, including aggravated assault and carrying out a drive-by shooting.

“Our preliminary investigation indicates that this is a rush to judgment and we don’t believe he’s the I-10 shooter,” Ulises Ferragut, co-counsel for Merritt, said before the please was entered.

Merritt’s other attorney, Jason Lamm, said they have yet to receive police documents but have a lead that another person may have been involved.

“We have information that we’re exploring that someone else has made an acknowledgement that they could be responsible and that’s a lead that we’re tracking down,” Lamm said. “But it’s very, very early in the game to get hard confirmation on that.”

Merritt’s next court hearing is Nov. 18.

More at link: http://ktar.com/story/672828/suspect-in-phoenix-freeway-shootings-enters-not-guilty-plea/

Freeway shootings update: Attorneys say Leslie Merritt, Jr. not responsible for freeway shootings
By Justin Pazera | ABC15.com | October 26, 2015, 4:53PM

PHOENIX - Attorneys for Leslie Merritt Jr., the accused I-10 shooter, were in court Monday afternoon hoping to change the release conditions for their client.

Right now Merritt is being held on a $1 million cash bond. The state alleges Merritt pulled the trigger in four of the 11 freeway shootings. His attorneys told the court on Monday that Merritt isn't the shooter.

Defense attorney Jason Lamm says they have cell phone records that will prove Merritt wasn't even in the area when the shootings happened in late August. Lamm also says Merritt has alibis who will testify and prove he couldn't be the shooter.
[...]
On Monday the judge also ordered attorneys on both sides, even DPS, to stop talking about the case publicly.

More at link (video): http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/freeway-shootings-update-attorneys-say-leslie-merritt-jr-not-responsible-for-freeway-shootings

Not much news subsequent to the Judge ordering both sides and DPS to stop discussing the case publicly. This incident happened 10 days ago; posting for record of shots continuing to happen. The wording in the video is interesting.

DPS investigating possible shooting on Interstate 10 near Loop 303
Rudy Rivas | ABC15News.com | October 28, 2015, 5:34PM

Video: http://www.abc15.com/news/region-west-v ... r-loop-303

Wonder if the shooter will delay with insanity defense before pleading guilty like Columbus outer belt shooter did once they finally got the right guy. With over 20 shootings it created a lasting impression for many around here.

Guys name was McCoy and all my Florida pals joked re southern McCoys at least get a bead on the Hatfields vs random potshots.

Judge orders release of suspected I-10 shooter on modified bail
By Phil Benson | KPHO.com | November 16, 2015 2:54PM

PHOENIX (KPHO/KTVK) - A Superior Court judge has ordered the release of the suspected I-10 shooter and modified bail from $1 million to $150,000

Attorneys for Leslie Merritt Jr. were back in court Monday afternoon fighting to get him released from jail.

The defense team argued that Merritt wasn’t behind four of the eleven freeway shootings that began in late August.

Merritt has denied involvement in the shootings since his arrest on Friday, Sept. 18.

While his defense team claims they have proof he isn't the shooter, the prosecution says his gun was used in the incidents.

The gun in question is a High Point 9 mm semi-automatic. Investigators have forensically linked it to four of the freeway shootings.

Although Merritt said the pawn shop had the gun at the time of those shootings, both the owner of Mo Money Pawn, Eric Baker, and the general manager, Byron Vaughn, said their records show otherwise. They said store records indicate Merritt's gun was not in their possession when those shootings occurred.

More at link (video): http://www.kpho.com/story/30527955/judge-orders-release-of-suspected-i-10-shooter-on-modified-bail
__________________________________________

MC Superior Court @courtpio
Next court date in State v Leslie Merritt Jr is 12/16 at 8:30 before Judge Warren Granville.

Wonder how far he'll get with SODDI defense?

Hi LR

IMO, I don't think it's going to fly very far.

I watched the hearing today, hoping to hear some alibi testimony he supposedly has. His fiancee told the police she wasn't sure where he was on the day of the shootings. Now she is going to testify he was with her all day. All his alibi evidence is family-related.

The defense (obviously) had good argument about reducing the bond, but they wanted to present some evidence, and the Judge didn't want to hear any pre-trial testimony.

Aww he's a good boy yer honor, has extensive community ties, he's a great shot but cops got his gun so no pesky pawnshop records to deal with before trial kind of stuff?

DPS accused of lying to freeway shooting witness, hiding evidence
By Katie Conner | ABC15.com | December 7, 2015, updated: 2:20PM ET

PHOENIX - A new motion accuses the Department of Public Safety of hiding evidence and also lying to a witness in the freeway shootings investigation .

According to court paperwork obtained by ABC15, Leslie Merritt Jr’s cellphone allegedly shows he was miles away from the shooting scenes he is being charged with.

Dina Sauceda is Merritt's significant other.

After Merritt’s arrest, Detectives asked Dina about Merritt's whereabouts on August 29th because 3 separate shootings occurred that day.

DPS detectives told her they had video that placed him and another person near the scenes. However, when Dina asked to see video, DPS didn’t show her.

The Arizona Department of Transportation does not record any video on Valley freeways. The freeway cameras only show live video.

77 page Motion filed by Merritt's attorneys:
http://media2.abc15.com/html/pdf/2015-1204%20Def's%20MTR%20Conformed.pdf

More at link (video): http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/dps-accused-of-lying-to-freeway-shooting-witness-hiding-evidence

Leslie Merritt Jr case update: Judge to hear arguments in Phoenix freeway shootings case
By Associated Press | ABC15.com | December 16, 2015, 5:30PM

PHOENIX - Lawyers for a man charged in some of the Phoenix-area freeway shootings will be allowed to argue why the case should be returned to a grand jury.

At a hearing Wednesday, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge set aside 90 minutes on Feb. 19 to hear arguments by attorneys for 22-year-old Leslie Allen Merritt Jr.

Prosecutors say ballistics tests tie Merritt to four of the 11 shootings that occurred on metro Phoenix freeways between Aug. 22 and Sept. 10.

Eight cars were hit with bullets and three were struck with projectiles such as BBs or pellets, most along Interstate 10.

Merritt's lawyers say he was not near the crime scenes.

More at link: http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/leslie-merritt-jr-case-update-suspect-in-arizona-freeway-shootings-investigation-due-in-court

Leslie Merritt Jr. update: New grand jury hearing for freeway shooting suspect denied
By Associated Press | ABC15.com | February 19, 2016

PHOENIX - Attorneys for the man authorities describe as the Phoenix freeway shooter lost a bid Friday to get the case sent back to a grand jury but succeeded in their pursuit of more information about a series of similar shootings last year.

The legal team for Leslie Allen Merritt Jr. argued prosecutors omitted key evidence when they presented the case to a grand jury, resulting with the charges against the 21-year-old landscaper. Defense lawyers say authorities disregarded Merritt's alibi and bullied his fiancee while questioning her. They believe a fuller presentation of the facts to the grand jury would have led to a different conclusion and proved he did not carry out the shootings.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Warren J. Granville ruled Friday that attorneys for Merritt should argue in front of a trial jury about what evidence prosecutors chose to present.

Defense attorney Jason Lamm said prosecutors left out key information including records that show Merritt's primary cellphone was miles from where one incident occurred. He also cited a shifting timeline for one of the shootings.

"They basically fired a shotgun at the side of a barn, and that's how they got an indictment on this count," Lamm said.

[...]
Merritt's trial is scheduled for June 9.

More at link: http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoeni ... ay-shooter

Just-released documents reveal what led DPS to Leslie Merritt Jr. in freeway shootings
By Jonathan Lowe | TucsonNewsNow.com | Updated March 12, 2016

PHOENIX (KPHO/KTVK) - There is new evidence in the I-10 shooting case. DPS just released hundreds of pages of documents, showing us how investigators pinned the crime on Leslie Merritt, Jr.

Merritt's attorneys can't talk because they're under a gag order but they have said DPS wasn't handing over crucial evidence. Now, a judge forced the agency to and in those 1,212 pages there is some pretty damning evidence.

Between August 29 and August 30 last summer, four vehicles were shot at along the I-10. Detectives recovered bullets and bullet fragments in each case.

We've learned criminalists with the DPS crime lab examined those ballistics and discovered all the bullets came from a 9 mm handgun made by Hi Point firearms. Then, through good police work investigators compiled a list of Valley pawn shops that had either bought or sold a Hi Point 9 mm. They found 10. One of them was found at Mo Money Pawn on Indian School Road.

Based on receipts and surveillance video, DPS detectives say Leslie Merritt Jr. pawned a Hi Point 9 mm the day after the shootings started. DPS test fired that gun and the results connected it to those four shootings. The gun's serial number even told detectives Merritt bought the gun at a Cabela's store in Glendale the July before the shooting spree.

Merritt has maintained his innocence and has said he has an alibi for the time of the shootings.

More at link: http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/3145 ... -shootings

Defense requests deposition of DPS director
By Nicole Garcia | Fox10Phoenix.com | March 24, 2016

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Will the head of the Arizona Department of Public Safety have to take the stand in the freeway shooter trial? That's what attorneys for Leslie Merritt Jr., the suspect in the shootings are seeking. The case is winding its way through court, and a hearing was held Thursday.

Defense attorneys have filed a motion going after the head of DPS Frank Milstead. They want to bring him in for a deposition, saying he is a necessary witness in the case. The defense is also going after the credibility of an FBI agent who placed Merritt at the shooting scenes using GPS coordinates from his cell phone.

[...] Milstead had held several news conferences before Merritt was arrested. According to the defense motion, Milstead changed the official timeline of the shootings after it was learned Merritt's gun was at the pawn shop during the time frame DPS had published. Last month the defense filed a motion to depose Arizona Governor Doug Ducey in this case, the judge denied that request but has not made a decision about Milstead.

More at link: http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizon ... 6947-story

Is there video of the freeway shootings? DPS Director Milstead said he was looking at video
By ABC15. com | April 1, 2016

PHOENIX - The legal back-and-forth in the freeway shootings case continues.

The latest motion, first obtained by ABC15, has to do with potential video of the actual shootings.

Attorneys for Leslie Merritt Junior want to question DPS Director Frank Milstead . They want to question him because of an interview he did with KTAR News.

Milstead told KTAR that his DPS investigators were going over freeway camera video from the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The motion states, "Milstead stated, 'we are using ADOT resources by looking at camera footage' in order to investigate the identify of the shooter."

However, ADOT constantly says they do not record freeway cameras and no such video has ever been turned over to the defense.

DPS detectives told Merritt's significant other, Dina Sauceda, they had video that placed Merritt and another person near the scenes. However, when Dina asked to see video, DPS didn’t show her.

(The trial is expected to begin on June 9. The defense plans to call around 40 witnesses to the stand; the trial is expected to take two months. The timeline at bottom of link (below) shows a comparison to Merritt’s alibi and the confirmed shootings [red numbers] that he is connected to.)

More at link: http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoeni ... g-at-video

Freeway shootings update: Accused freeway shooter Leslie Merritt Jr. released from jail
By ABC15.com | April 19, 2016

PHOENIX - He was called a domestic terrorist for allegedly shooting at drivers along the freeway, but now the suspected freeway shooter is out of jail. DPS said ballistic evidence linked Merritt to four of the eleven freeway shootings during the summer of 2015.

An emergency hearing was held Tuesday morning for the accused shooter, Leslie Merritt Jr.

Recently, the County Attorney’s Office called in secondary ballistics professionals to confirm whether Merritt's gun was in fact connected to the shootings, like DPS said in September 2015

Those additional ballistics tests revealed the original bullet fragments could not be confirmed to be from Merritt's gun.

The judge ruled that Merritt's bond would be reduced to $0 and he would therefore be released from jail.

Additionally, a judge denied a motion wanted by Merritt’s defense attorneys to question DPS Director Frank Milstead.

More at link: http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoeni ... tings-case