Cops Charge Man In Arizona Highway Shootings

Arizona authorities on Wednesday formally charged a man suspected of shooting at cars traveling down a busy Phoenix highway, but the alleged shooter says cops have the wrong man.

Leslie Allen Merritt Jr., a 21-year-old father of two, faces 16 felony counts including drive by shootings, aggravated assault and unlawful discharge of a firearm, according to ABC 15.

For weeks, Arizona residents have been cautious driving along Interstate 10 leading to downtown Phoenix after at least 11 vehicles were shot at. Though there were no serious injuries, a 13-year-old girl suffered a minor cut when a bullet struck the windshield of the vehicle she was in.

Last Friday night, authorities made a break in the case when they arrested Merritt. But the suspect says that police have got the wrong guy, and even authorities admit that they can only tie Merritt to four of the 11 total shootings.

That didn't stop Republican Gov. Doug Ducey from exclaiming on Twitter that "We got him!" shortly after police arrested Merritt outside of a Wal-Mart.

"All I have to say is I'm the wrong guy," Meritt said at a court appearance on Saturday, where his bail was set at $1 million." I tried telling the detectives that."

The Associated Press reports that according to court documents, police traced bullet fragments to a weapon that Merritt had pawned.

"My gun's been in the pawn shop the last two months," Meritt said during Saturday's court appearance. "I haven't even had access to a weapon."

Investigators, however, said they have proof the weapon wasn't in any pawn shop during at least four of the eleven shootings.

Department of Public Safety Director Frank Milstead told the AP that the investigation is ongoing.

"Are there others out there? Are there copycats? That is possible," Milstead said.