Phoenix Highway Shootings: String Of I-10 Shootings Focus Of ‘Domestic Terrorist Crimes’ Investigation

A succession of Phoenix highway shootings over the past 10 days has made driving even more dangerous for motorists traveling on Interstate 10. Within the last week-and-a-half, there have been 10 suspicious shootings — with the latest report being on Wednesday.

As Inquisitr just reported, investigators are looking into the possibility that this may be a case of domestic terrorism.

Department of Public Safety Director Frank Milstead is calling the latest string of shootings “domestic terrorism crimes,” ABC 15 reports.

“Anytime that you have multiple shootings against American citizens on a highway, that’s terrorism. They’re trying to frighten or kill somebody.”

It’s unclear if all of the shootings are related to the work of one suspect — or copycats. Billboards are flashing “shooting tips” along the freeway in the event that more Phoenix highway shootings occur.

As a separate ABC 15 report just revealed, the latest of the shootings happened on Wednesday. Authorities are calling it a “valid shooting” incident that took place near a Shell gas station near I-10 and 35th Avenue at around 11 a.m. A rear window was shattered on a white pickup truck while driving along the freeway. The unidentified driver spoke with the DPS and said that a BB gun is what hit his window.

CNN reported Milstead had this to say about the person or persons responsible for the Phoenix highway shootings.

“Somebody is very aware of who this is… there should be no benevolence for this person, or apathy. This is a cold-blooded crime. This person is a coward.”

Several sniper shootings have occurred within a 48-hour period. There are 10 incidents in all, but not every single of one of them can be confirmed as an actual shooting. Authorities collectively said that some form of projectile struck many of the vehicles traveling on I-10. No serious injuries have resulted from the potentially deadly shootings, but a 13-year-old girl did suffer a minor injury.

A reward for witnesses with any information leading police to a suspect in the shootings was increased from $5,000 to $20,000, and the identity of anyone providing information will be kept confidential.

Arthur Roderick, a former assistant director for the U.S. Marshals, explained that the sniper attacks seemed to be different than those in Washington back in October 2002, which he helped investigate. He said these shootings were more concentrated than the Beltway sniper case. Mr. Roderick added that since the Arizona crisis is more localized and not spread across various states, it will be easier to catch this individual.

“They’re able to concentrate all their efforts in that one particular area.”

Echoing the words of Arthur Roderick, Public Safety Director Milstead is also confident law enforcement will apprehend the party or parties responsible for the Phoenix highway shootings.

“But we will find who this is. And hopefully, we get to them before someone is seriously injured or killed.”

[Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]