Colonel Frank Milstead, director of the Arizona Department of
Public Safety, said the attacks continued following two possible
shootings early Tuesday on Interstate 10, the southernmost
transcontinental highway in the U.S.
The shootings began on Aug. 29 along a roughly 10-mile segment of
the highway when gunfire shattered the windshield of a sport utility
vehicle, authorities said.
A 13-year-old girl sustained a minor cut to her right ear, the only
injury that has been reported.
On Tuesday, a Phoenix police sergeant told state troopers he
believes a bullet shattered the passenger side window of his
personal vehicle as he was driving to work.
The sergeant was not in uniform and was not injured, police said,
adding that it could not immediately be determined if the vehicle
was struck by gunfire or something else such as road debris.
Details of the second incident were not disclosed.
“It’s just a matter of time, if this continues, that we have tragedy
on our roadways,” Milstead said at a news conference.
Authorities also announced on Tuesday that a reward fund has been
increased to $20,000 from $5,000 for information leading to the
arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Police said that they have not confirmed that all the incidents
involved gunfire, saying only that some were hit by a projectile.
Investigators also have not yet determined whether the incidents are
connected.
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On the first reported day of the shootings, a bus with only the
driver on board was hit and a third vehicle was struck late that
night, with the driver noticing a bullet hole after inspecting her
vehicle the next day, officials said.
Milstead said the agency was using its gang task force, special
weapons and tactics personal and undercover detectives for freeway
surveillance, and was working with federal and local law
enforcement.
He urged motorists to be on guard and report any suspicious
activity, branding the recent incidents “domestic terrorism.”
“If you drive that stretch of roadway, always be vigilant,” he said.
“Under these circumstances, be hyper vigilant.”
(Editing by Victoria Cavaliere)
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