A landscaper suspected in a series of freeway shootings told a judge on Saturday that authorities have the wrong guy and he hasn’t even had a gun for two months.
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The judge set Merritt’s bond at $1 million and will have to wear an ankle bracelet if he posts it. Merritt then asked the judge if he could speak, to which the judge repleied that anything he said could be used against him during his trial.
“The suspect presents a dramatic and profound threat to the community”, the prosecutor said.
“I’m the wrong guy I tried to tell the detectives that”.
Merritt was taken into custody at about 7 p.m. Friday, said Daniel Scarpinato, a spokesman for Gov. Doug Ducey.
The string of shootings terrified drivers on Arizona highways for three weeks. A 13-year-old girl who suffered a slight cut to her ear has been the only injury reported. The gun was sacked at the state crime lab and bullets from the tests matched bullet fragments from the four freeway shootings, Graves said. “Are there others out there?”
Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio tweeted that the pawn shop Merritt referenced in Saturday’s court hearing played a key role in linking him the the shootings.
Authorities were monitoring Merritt the entire day of Friday after they determined that a weapon he owned is forensically linked to the incidents. Merritt Sr. said his son works incredibly long hours as a landscaper to make ends meet for his family. A reward of $50,000 was offered for information leading to an arrest.
Merritt, who has a criminal record for minor offenses, is suspected in the first four vehicle shootings that took place on Aug. 29 and Aug. 30.
Merritt has been charged with numerous felonies, including drive-by shooting, intentional acts of terrorism, aggravated assault, criminal damage, endangerment and discharging a firearm within city limits. “Hopefully, with this capture, if it is indeed the right person, hopefully, the Valley can now start the healing process to get back to where we were before August . 29”.
“We have evidence that Merritt is the prime suspect.”, Graves said. In all four instances no one was injured.
Local media reported that he was arrested as he exited a Wal-Mart store along with a woman and a young child.
The first round of gunfire late last month hit a sport utility vehicle, an empty tour bus and a passenger auto .
The shootings prompted several school districts to keep their buses off freeways, and some motorists altered their commutes to avoid driving on I-10.
“I could never afford that bond, I have two kids, you know”.
Graves said there is no known motive for the attacks.
Meanwhile, Oscar de la Torre Munoz, who had been detained since September 11 in connection to the shootings, was freed on Friday.
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Officials said the investigation continues into potential suspects in the other shooting incidents.
