DPS: Unrelated charges dropped against person of interest in I-10 shootings
Sep 18, 2015, 11:17 AM
Oscar De La Torre Munoz (Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)
(Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Photo)
PHOENIX — Unrelated charges were dropped Friday against a person of interest in the Interstate 10 shootings in Phoenix.
Oscar De La Torre Munoz, 19, was booked last week on marijuana charges while being questioned about the shootings. Bart Graves with the Arizona Department of Public Safety said Munoz was expected to be released by noon, but he is still a person of interest in the shootings.
“We know where to locate him,” Graves said.
Graves said progress has been made in the case since Munoz’s arrest, but did not go into detail.
DPS has confirmed 11 shootings in all — seven that used bullets and four that used projectiles — since Aug. 29.
The agency has investigated multiple other claims of car windows damaged on freeways, but none were caused by a shooting.
Since the shootings began, the reward offered for information leading to a conviction in the case has increased from $5,000 to $20,000 to $50,000.
The agency has also began a campaign involving fliers and 16 billboards to raise awareness about the shootings.
DPS Director Col. Frank Milstead told KTAR’s Bruce St. James and Pamela Hughes Show that different weapons were involved and the methods varied, “but we’ll solve this one of two ways … tips or the diligence of detectives.”
Milstead said investigators — including both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — are working around the clock to catch the suspect or suspects. State troopers have been patrolling freeways from early morning to night. At least 850 tips have been received by law enforcement, with about 550 of those being pursued.
DPS can be contacted at 602-644-5805. Silent Witness can be contacted at 480-WITNESS.
