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DPS confirms semi as 11th shooting in 12 days

Posted at 6:23 AM, Sep 10, 2015
and last updated 2016-04-19 12:39:05-04

Arizona Department of Public Safety confirmed Thursday an 11th shooting incident along Interstate 10.

11TH SHOOTING INCIDENT UNDER INVESTIGATION

State troopers were called to 83rd Avenue and Roosevelt around 9 a.m. after a commercial truck driver noticed a hole in the side of his truck during a pre-inspection. DPS confirmed that it was caused by a bullet.

SPECIAL SECTION: Latest updates on DPS investigation into Arizona freeway shootings

Detectives inspected the hole, measured it and took pictures. The driver was not in the vehicle when it was hit. He was taking over the truck from another driver and was completing his pre-inspection report. Detectives are now working to figure out where the truck was driving to try and pin where it may have been hit.

Spokesman Raul Garcia confirmed to ABC15 this is the 11th shooting incident under investigation since August 29. 

Detectives responded to five other scenes on Thursday, but those have not officially been linked to the investigation.

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

TIMELINE: 11 reported incidents within two weeks

Trying to settle fears, Garcia said authorities routinely respond to road debris incidents everyday, but are investigating which incidents are related to the freeway shootings and which ones are not.

Spokesman Tim Case said DPS has received "thousands" of public tips via email, phone calls and social media. He told the public to "remain vigilant" and to contact authorities if they see something suspicious.

TIP LINES: Call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or DPS 602-644-5805.

DPS OFFICIALS SAID THE FOLLOWING INCIDENTS MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED TO THE 11 CONFIRMED SHOOTING INCIDENTS CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION. 

INTERSTATE 10 AND 67TH AVENUE (67 AVE/LATHUM)

At 11:15 a.m. troopers were called to a truck stop near 67th Avenue and Lathum, near the I-10 freeway, to investigate a semi-truck that reportedly had a hole in its passenger side door, close to the window.

DPS spokesman Tim Case said a "projectile" hit the passenger side door.

STATE ROUTE 51 AND SHEA

A fourth incident has also been reported near State Route 51 and Shea where a woman says she and her daughter were on their way to lunch when they heard a loud noise and noticed the rear window was cracked. 

The two pulled off the road into a parking lot of a pawn shop where they found a small round dent in the window that cracked the window on the driver's side passenger door. 

INTERSTATE 10 AND ELLIOT ROAD

Air15 video showed DPS crews surrounding a Brinks armored truck near Interstate 10 and Elliot Road. A DPS detective at the scene told ABC15 that a projectile hit the door, but would not confirm nor deny if it was related to the freeway shootings investigation.

INTERSTATE 10 AND 83RD AVENUE

Troopers were called to a Starbucks near Interstate 17 and Thomas Road after a driver heard a "pop" and noticed his rear driver's side window had cracked. 

The driver heard the noise while on his way to work at Interstate 10 and 83rd Avenue, but did not call police until he exited I-17.

The driver told ABC15's Katie Conner that he thought he may have been hit by a pellet gun, but DPS said the incident did not "meet the criteria" to be linked to the freeway investigations.

No injuries have been reported in any of Thursday's incidents.

Case warned the public to "stay vigilant" and if they see something to say something by calling authorities.

RELATED: Armed volunteers monitoring I-10 during evening hours

LOOP 202 (SAN TAN) AND HIGLEY ROAD

Two vehicles may have been hit by projectiles along the Loop 202 San Tan Freeway near Higley Road on Thursday morning. A DPS spokesman did not provide specifics, but said it is investigating both cases and that they have not been added to the larger investigation.

STATE ROUTE 202 AND 44TH STREET 

DPS confirmed with ABC15 that there was a call near SR202 and 44th Street that happened around 4 p.m. Thursday. The incident was investigated by officials but DPS said it's currently unknown if this incident is related. 

Anyone with information or tips is encouraged to call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS or the DPS tip line at 602-644-5805. Silent Witness increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of the alleged shooter, or shooters, from $5,000 to $20,000.

Stay with abc15.com and ABC15 Mobile for latest updates.