Phoenix freeway shootings

{{Infobox civilian attack

| title = Phoenix freeway shootings

| partof =

| image = Interstate 10, Loop 202 & SR 51.jpg

| image_size = 250px

| alt = Looking over a highway towards an elevated interchange

| caption = The Mini Stack, near where numerous shootings occurred

| map = Phoenix_Area_Freeways_map.svg

| map_size = 250

| map_alt = Freeways surrounding Phoenix, showing the major arterial roads and expressways

| map_caption = A map of freeways in Phoenix, including other roads investigated in connection with the shootings

| location = Interstate 10, State Route 202, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.

| target = Vehicles along local freeways

| coordinates = {{Coord|33|27|43.41|N|112|2|55.12|W|display=inline, title}}

| date = {{start date|2015|8|27}} – {{end date|2015|09|10}}

| time =

| timezone =

| weapon = Handgun

| type = Shooting

| fatalities = 0

| injuries = 1

| perp = Unknown

| motive = Unknown

}}

The Phoenix freeway shootings, also known as the I-10 shootings, were a series of eleven incidents that occurred between August 27 and September 10, 2015, along Interstate 10 and State Route 202 in Phoenix, Arizona. Each incident resulted in projectile damage to cars, and one girl was injured.

A suspect was arrested on September 18,{{cite news|title=Ducey: Freeway shooting suspect in custody|url=http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/ducey-freeway-shooting-suspect-in-custody|accessdate=September 18, 2015|publisher=ABC15|date=September 18, 2015}} but charges against him were dropped in April 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/042516_1-10_shootings/judge-dismisses-charges-against-suspect-phx-i-10-shootings/|title=Judge dismisses charges against suspect in Phx I-10 shootings|last=TucsonSentinel.com|newspaper=TucsonSentinel.com|language=en|access-date=2016-12-22}} No further arrests have been made since.

Events

Beginning on August 27, eleven shootings occurred: eight by bullets and three by unspecified projectiles.{{cite news|last1=Sayers|first1=Justin|title=Phoenix freeway shootings: What you need to know|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/breaking/2015/09/10/phoenix-freeway-shootings-what-you-need-know/72029778/|accessdate=September 14, 2015|publisher=Arizona Republic|date=September 13, 2015}} Ten of the incidents occurred on Interstate 10, while the eleventh was on State Route 202.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/list-when-and-where-the-freeway-shootings-occurred|title=LIST: When and where the freeway shootings have occurred|work=ABC15|date=September 9, 2015|accessdate=September 10, 2015}} The final shooting occurred on September 10.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/leslie-allen-merritt-jr-suspect-phoenix-arizona-freeway-shootings-family/|title=New details about suspect in Phoenix freeway shootings|work=CBS News|date=September 19, 2015|accessdate=September 19, 2015}}

False leads

On September 11, a man and woman driving a car were taken into custody in relation to the shootings. The woman was later released, but the 19-year-old male suspect was kept in police custody, as sources stated that he boasted about the shootings to friends. He was later arrested on an unrelated marijuana charge.{{cite news|last1=La Jeunesse|first1=William|title=Sources: Man taken into custody in Phoenix allegedly boasted to friends of rash of freeway shootings|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/sources-man-taken-into-custody-in-phoenix-allegedly-boasted-to-friends-of-rash-of-freeway-shootings/|access-date=September 12, 2015|work=Fox News|date=September 11, 2015}}

Road debris shattering windows also played a role in the investigation, as shattered windows were often investigated as being part of the spree. For example, on September 16 a driver reported his windows being shot by a car that he was seeking to pass, but police later stated that road debris caused the window damage.{{cite news|title=DPS investigating shattered window on I-10|url=http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/west-phoenix/dps-investigating-shattered-window-on-i-10|accessdate=September 16, 2015|publisher=KNXV|date=September 16, 2015}}

Three 18-year-olds with a slingshot were arrested on September 13 on claims that they had been making copycat attacks,{{cite news|last1=Billeaud|first1=Jacques|title=3 Arrested in Copycat Incidents of Phoenix Freeway Shootings|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/police-man-detained-freeway-shootings-top-suspect-33720369|accessdate=September 13, 2015|work=ABC News|date=September 13, 2015}} and the three admitted to targeting cars and pedestrians. They were later released.{{Cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa/breaking/2015/12/01/car-chase-ends-flames-near-phoenix-mesa-gateway-airport/76608336/|title=MCSO: Chase suspect was accused in 'copycat' freeway case|newspaper=azcentral|access-date=2016-12-22}}

Mistaken suspect

Leslie Allen Merritt, Jr., then aged 21,{{cite web|title=Governor: Suspect arrested in Phoenix freeway shootings|url=http://www.kob.com/article/stories/s3910893.shtml#.VfzQ4orF-nA|website=kob.com|publisher=KOB 4|accessdate=September 18, 2015}} was arrested in Glendale on September 18, 2015.{{cite web|last1=Davenport|first1=Paul|title=Police Arrest Suspect in String of Phoenix Freeway Shootings|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/man-released-questioning-phoenix-freeway-shootings-33864489|website=abcnews.com|publisher=ABC|date=September 18, 2015}} Police initially claimed that Merritt held anti-government and anti-police views.{{cite web|title='We got him!' Suspect arrested in I-10 shootings in Phoenix, governor says|url=http://q13fox.com/2015/09/18/we-got-him-suspect-arrested-in-i-10-shootings-in-phoenix-governor-says/|website=q13fox.com|publisher=Fox|date=September 18, 2015|accessdate=September 18, 2015}} One day after his arrest, police claimed that they had linked the first four shootings to a pistol owned by Merritt.{{cite web|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/breaking/2015/09/18/doug-ducey-phoenix-freeway-shootings-suspect-custody/72439462/|title=Phoenix freeway-shootings suspect Leslie Allen Merritt Jr. tied to first 4 incidents|work=AZCentral|date=September 19, 2015|accessdate=September 19, 2015}} The weapon in question was later shown to have been in a pawn shop at the time of the fourth shooting.{{cite web|title=Merritt v. Arizona, No. CV-17-04540-PHX-DGC (D. Ariz. Apr. 20, 2021)|url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/i-10-shooter-suspect-released-from-jail-social-media-says-duh-everyone-knows-hes-not-the-right-guy-8234917|website=cphoenixnewtimes.com|publisher=Phoenix New Times|accessdate=December 15, 2021}} He was charged with fifteen felony counts, including carrying out a drive-by shooting, aggravated assault, unlawfully discharging a firearm, disorderly conduct, and endangerment; prosecutors also considered filing terrorism charges, but ultimately did not, as terrorism-related laws focused primarily on protecting public utilities and did not encompass freeway shootings.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/suspect-4-11-phoenix-freeway-shootings-indicted-220653611.html|title=Suspect in 4 of 11 Phoenix freeway shootings is indicted|work=Yahoo! News|date=September 25, 2015|accessdate=September 27, 2015|first=Walter|last=Berry}}{{cite web|url=http://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/leslie-allen-merritt-update-charges-filed-against-phoenix-freeway-shooting-suspect|title=Phoenix freeway shootings update: Charges filed against suspect, Leslie Allen Merritt|work=ABC15|date=September 23, 2015|accessdate=September 24, 2015}}

All charges were dropped in April 2016. Merritt was formally cleared of all charges and records were sealed in an August 2020 proceeding with Maricopa County Superior Court Judge William Wingard presiding, who stated "Leslie Allen Merritt Jr. has been cleared of any allegation or charge, and such a finding is in the interest of justice."{{cite web|title=One-time Freeway Shooter suspect formally cleared by court|url=https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/one-time-freeway-shooter-suspect-formally-cleared-by-court/75-04e12b3d-4ed1-4940-99a7-fa00feb19138|website=12news.com|date=August 17, 2020 |publisher=KPNX-TV 12|accessdate=December 15, 2021}}

Merritt filed a lawsuit against state officials,{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/09/15/former-freeway-shooting-suspect-sues-arizona-county/90408524/|title=Former freeway shooting suspect sues Arizona, county|newspaper=USA TODAY|access-date=2016-12-22}} which went to jury trial in the fall of 2020.{{cite web|title=Man once charged in metro Phoenix 2015 freeway shootings testifies|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2020/11/02/leslie-merritt-jr-once-charged-metro-phoenix-freeway-shootings-testifies/6132744002/|website=azcentral.com|publisher=AZ Central/AP|accessdate=December 15, 2021}} The jury returned a finding for the defense, which Merritt appealed in April 2021. The appeal was denied by the Arizona District Court.{{cite web|title=Merritt v. Arizona, No. CV-17-04540-PHX-DGC (D. Ariz. Apr. 20, 2021)|url=https://casetext.com/case/merritt-v-arizona-11|website=casetext.com|publisher=CaseText|accessdate=December 15, 2021}} Merritt again appealed and won a judgment of $1 million. https://www.aetv.com/shows/interrogation-raw