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Valley commuters switching up their routes

Posted at 7:59 AM, Sep 11, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-11 10:59:25-04

It's not just commuters avoiding Valley freeways following 11 confirmed shootings.

Now, that includes two school districts. 

TIMELINE: 11 reported incidents within two weeks

As "a precautionary measure" the Paradise Valley Unified School District has rerouted school buses away from the area of State Route 51 and Shea Boulevard. 

Officials are currently investigating four incidents from today that have not been officially connected to the 11 confirmed cases of shootings along Valley freeways.

One of the four incidents did happen on State Route 51 and Shea Boulevard around 11:10 a.m. where a driver and a passenger hear a loud noise, pulled off the freeway, and found a small round dent in the window that cracked the window on the driver's side. 

LIST: Where and when the I-10 shootings have occurred

The Fowler Elementary School District has also issued all school buses to refrain from using any freeway, including I-10, I-17, Loop 101, 202 and 303 as well as State Route 51. 

"I am being conscientious that whomever is demonstrating such bad judgment has no regard for human life," Marvene Lobato, superintendent of the school district, said. "I don't want our students and staff in harm's way." 

Lobato said the change was made after a connected freeway shooting occurred during the school day when buses and district vehicles would normally be traveling. 

Some Valley drivers are opting to stay away from I-10 because of the shootings.

Kim Lovato is taking surface streets, avoiding all intestate as much as possible. Lovato said her commute is now 15 to 20 minutes longer.

"Any chance is too much of a chance at all," Lovato said. "It's not worth the risk for me."

ADOT said about 225,000 cars a day travel the section of I-10 where most of the shootings occurred. ADOT said those numbers have stayed steady, even with the shootings. 

ABC15 reached out to Valley Metro to see if any commuter buses would be rerouted away from traveling on freeways, and Susan Tierney confirmed buses are not being rerouted.