Official charges filed against Arizona freeway shooting suspect
PHOENIX --The Maricopa County Attorney's office has filed 16 felony counts against Leslie Allen Merritt, Jr., 21, in connection with a recent series of shootings on Interstate 10 in Phoenix, reports CBS affiliate KPHO.
The charges include three counts of drive by shooting, six counts of aggravated assault, three counts of unlawful discharge of a firearm, three counts of disorderly conduct, and one count of endangerment.
In a statement released by Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, the prosecutor noted that few details about the investigation will be released.
"I understand the frustration by some with respect to the limited amount of information released by the Department of Public Safety to date," said Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery. "However, I am equally grateful for the caution necessary to safeguard any prosecution of the Defendant and the need to protect Due Process rights," he added.
Merritt is charged in four shootings that occurred between August 27 and August 30. Police are still investigating at least half a dozen other shootings that occurred in late August and early September.
Merritt was arrested on September 18 and remains in custody on a $1 million bond. He is scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing on September 25.