DPS troopers continue hunt for freeway shooter

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety confirmed that 11 vehicles have been damaged by gunshots or other projectiles in the past two weeks.

7 of the 11 incidents have involved bullets according to Trooper Tim Case. The remaining incidents involved some sort of projectiles, which type is something investigators are working to determine.

"Anytime that you have multiple shootings against American citizens on a highway, that's terrorism," Department of Public Safety Director Frank Milstead said. "It's just a matter of time before there is a tragedy."

Investigators are also looking into 5 additional windows being damaged Thursday which may be linked to the #AZFreewayShootings case.

DPS has been receiving a large number of calls from motorists reporting broken windows, some could be related to the crime spree, but others could be rocks and road debris.

>>CLICK HERE FOR A TIMELINE PHOTO GALLERY MAP OF THE ARIZONA FREEWAY SHOOTINGS CASE

Timeline:

8-29-2015 11:10 a.m., I-10 eastbound near 19th Avenue. An SUV was struck by a bullet.

8-29-2015 11:10 a.m., I-10 westbound between 35th Ave. and 67th Ave. A tour bus that was unoccupied was shot at and damaged.

8-29-2015 10:15 p.m., I-10 eastbound near 16th Street. A passenger car was struck by a bullet.

8-30-2015 9:45 p.m., I-10 westbound between Sky Harbor and SR51. A passenger car was struck by a bullet.

8-31-2015 4:30 p.m., I-10 eastbound between 24th St and 40th st. A pickup truck was struck by a bullet.

9-06-2015 5:50 p.m., I-17 southbound near Dunlap Road. A box truck with a ladder attached was shot at and damaged.

9-06-2015 8:30 p.m., SR202 westbound between 32nd St and 24th St. A passenger car was struck by a bullet. This car was involved in another incident with a vehicle on the 202.

9-8-2015 5:21 a.m., I-10 westbound at 27th Avenue, a box truck was struck by a projectile.

9-8-2015 5:37 a.m., I-10 eastbound between 35th and 43rd Avenues, a pickup truck was struck by a projectile.

9-9-2015 10:45 a.m., I-10 eastbound near 39th Avenue was struck by a projectile.

9-10-2015 9:40 a.m., 83rd Avenue and Latham, detectives are investigating a bullet strike on a tractor trailer.

What law enforcement is doing:

Officials with the Arizona Department of Public Safety have been tight-lipped about what tactics they are using to catch the shooter. Officials have said they have dispatched extra troopers, the department's gang unit, and partnered with Valley police to catch the shooter.

The agency is also working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms.

Community reaction:
A local civilian group called Bolt Force is patrolling along the interstate, trying to locate the shooter. The group has had run-ins with authorities after motorists called in concerned about the men dressed in all-black carrying weapons were seen near I-10. Police searched the men, and they were not arrested. DPS says they would prefer that the group let troopers and detectives handle the investigation.

The Paradise Valley Unified School District released a statement Thursday saying they would alter any routes taking students on Valley freeways.

The Fowler Elementary School says they also will re-route busses away from routes taking them on the freeways.

Valley Metro said they are not making any changes to their routes at this time.

Commercial truck drivers say that taking a different route isn't an option so they truck on through the valley despite the shootings. "If they shoot one of the drivers and they lose control it could kill more people, innocent people," said one driver.