Multiple freeway shooters possible

Officials widen probe into Phoenix- area attacks on motorists

Arizona authorities are questioning a “person of interest” in the recent string of Phoenix- area freeway shootings, but say they believe more than one gunman is likely involved in the bizarre attacks.

“It does not appear to be the same guy,’’ Arizona Department of Public Safety Director Frank Milstead tells The Arizona Republic. “I think we have three MOs. We have one that looks like road rage, we have the bullet ones, we have the projectile ones.’’

The only reported injury from the 11 shootings that began Aug. 29 was a 13- year- old girl whose right ear was cut by broken glass when the SUV in which she was riding was hit.

Authorities identified a person of interest who was detained Friday as Oscar de la Torre Munoz, 19. His white SUV was also impounded and was being searched.

De la Torre, who was picked up at a convenience store, was being held on a related charge of suspicion of marijuana possession. A woman detained with him was released.

DPS spokesman Bart Graves would not discuss details in the case, but said only one person of interest was being held.

“We’re just talking to him about a number of things, quite possibly this investigation,” Graves said. Court records show de la Torre had multiple traffic infractions, the latest of which included an arrest in May on suspicion of driving at criminal speeds and fleeing from law enforcement.

Of the 11 confirmed shootings, mostly along Interstate 10, eight vehicles were struck by bullets and three were struck by unspecified projectiles, possibly BBs or pellets. The DPS spokesman says at least one of the incidents involved road rage, the Associated Press reported.

Three of the vehicles were passenger cars, three were pickups and two were box trucks. The other targets were an SUV, a tour bus and a tractor- trailer. The bullets and projectiles have hit various parts of the vehicles, including windshields, passenger windows and a ladder.