# Is Leslie Allen Merritt Jr. the Phoenix (AZ) Freeway Shooter? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 20, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926 "2015-09-20T04:16:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/1 "2015-09-20T04:16:40Z")
[Police arrested Mr. Merritt Friday at a WalMart in Glendale, AZ](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FREEWAY_SHOOTINGS_PHOENIX?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-09-19-23-39-33), and have said that his gun was used in four of the shootings. The thing is, his gun was in a pawn shop. That’s how police found it and then found him. > [@](#): > > Graves said evidence from shell casings and bullet fragments determined that a gun Merritt pawned was used in four of the shootings on Aug. 29 and 30. A tour bus, SUV and two cars were hit by bullets on Interstate 10 on those days. The thing is, Mr. Merritt says that he pawned the gun 2 months ago. > [@](#): > > “All I have to say is I’m the wrong guy. I tried telling the detectives that. My gun’s been in the pawn shop the last two months. I haven’t even had access to a weapon,” he said as he stood handcuffed in a black and white striped jail uniform. There is no dispute that the gun was found in a pawn shop. And the police are adamant that this is the gun that was used. > [@](#): > > A man who identified himself as a manager at Mo-Money Pawn declined to comment Saturday beyond a post on a Facebook page that said detectives contacted the shop Wednesday looking for a certain caliber and make of handgun and examined several weapons. > [@](#): > > Tom Mangan, a special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which has been assisting in the investigation, said the evidence gathered by DPS leaves “no doubt” the gun used was the one owned and pawned by Merritt. Who is right? Is Mr. Merritt’s story accurate, and the gun was in the pawn shop for weeks and weeks, out of his reach and out of his control? If so, why was he arrested? If the gun was in the pawnshop, why arrest the guy who pawned it and not take a look at the people who had access to it during that time? Are ballistics tests really that accurate? Is Mr. Merritt just one of the shooters? What, in your opinion, is the Straight Dope here and why do you think so? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/2 "2015-09-20T04:20:14Z")
[For those not familiar with these shootings, here’s a fairly good recap on Wikipedia (because of course there’s a Wikipedia article; isn’t there one on everything yet?) > [@](#): > > The Phoenix freeway shootings are a series of incidents that occurred between August 29 and September 10, 2015, along Interstate 10 and State Route 202 in Phoenix, Arizona. All of the incidents have resulted in bullet or projectile damage to cars, along with one physical injury with a teenage girl who was hurt by broken glass. Presently, there have been eleven shootings on the freeway. ]([Phoenix freeway shootings - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_freeway_shootings)) More info at the Wikipedia site; that’s just the lede. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/3 "2015-09-20T04:28:47Z")
How can we know? He might be lying his little ass off. My personal view is, if he had actually pawned the gun two months ago, the police would have known that and not charged him. I’m betting he’s a pathological liar. (I’m also disqualifying myself as a juror on the case…) ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/4 "2015-09-20T11:38:38Z")
From your link: “But a charging document released late Saturday night by Maricopa Superior Court said that investigators determined Merritt had not pawned his gun at the time of the incidents.” Hopefully, they are correct and he’s not telling the truth, but for me, it’s too soon to tell. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/5 "2015-09-20T12:18:50Z")
Whatever gun he might have pawned and whenever he did it, wouldn’t there be a paper trail? It must be a matter of documented record when he brought a gun into the pawn shop, and if the gun in question was the one he brought in. Wouldn’t the suspect have gotten a copy of some kind of receipt for his gun, showing the date? If he did get that and didn’t keep it, then he’d be guilty of first-degree stupidity. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/6 "2015-09-20T12:20:45Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Are ballistics tests really that accurate? Obviously any test is vulnerable to manipulation by substitution of phony evidence. In other words, my answer is related to the accuracy of matching shell casings to the weapon that fired them, and does not address the possibility that any evidence was planted or fabricated. The answer is yes: to an extremely high degree of certainty, the combination of the firing pin impression, ejector mark, and breech mark on an ejected shell casing can tie a shell casing to a specific gun. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/7 "2015-09-20T15:02:57Z")
Before his arrest, my wife and I discussed the parallels between this and the earlier [Phoeniz freeway shootings](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/phoenix-terrifying-history-serial-shooters-article-1.2359877) in 1990 (we were there). We were wondering if the officials should be matching the dates with various incarceration records. It seemed likely to be the same person, and we wondered if the 1990 dude stopped because he was imprisoned. It lined up almost exactly with a 25 year sentence. But Mr Merritt is obviously too young for our theory. Quote from the link: \*At least four people were killed in a spate of shootings on Phoenix freeways in the early 1990s, according to a retired Arizona Department of Public Safety officer. The shooter (or shooters) was never caught. The shootings seemed to just stop, \* ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/8 "2015-09-20T15:33:20Z")
Pretty smart to canvas pawn shops looking for the gun. As to the question in the OP, the cops seem pretty certain they can prove he had the gun. My understanding is that pawn shops have to keep pretty thorough records, due to their being frequently used to dump stolen goods, so I’d be surprised if they didn’t have the evidence. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/9 "2015-09-20T15:34:35Z")
> [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](#): > > From your link: > > “But a charging document released late Saturday night by Maricopa Superior Court said that investigators determined Merritt had not pawned his gun at the time of the incidents.” > > Hopefully, they are correct and he’s not telling the truth, but for me, it’s too soon to tell. Thanks for noting that; it was not in the AP article when I started this thread. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/10 "2015-09-20T16:53:37Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Is Leslie Allen Merritt Jr. the Phoenix (AZ) Freeway Shooter? In Maricopa County? Doesn’t sound like an Hispanic name, so I’m surprised he was even suspected. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/11 "2015-09-20T18:07:23Z")
No wonder judges do tell the suspects that if they want to talk that everything they say could be used against them. Merritt did claim to the judge (after he was warned) that he had pawned the gun and it was not in his possession at the times of the shootings, but the latest reports show that he is not telling the whole truth: (From the court documents) [http://www.kpho.com/story/30072978/new-court-document-offers-1st-look-into-initial-freeway-shootings](http://www.kpho.com/story/30072978/new-court-document-offers-1st-look-into-initial-freeway-shootings) > [@](#): > > "On August 31, 2015, at approximately 1048 hours, AZ DPS detective requested bullets and bullet fragments submitted to the DPS Central Regional Crime Lab to be analyzed and compared. The DPS CRCL determined the bullets and bullet fragments from all four cases came from the same source. > > "On September 3, 2015, at approximately 1358 hours, DPS CRCL personnel identified the bullets and fragments were fired from a weapon with a specific lot of serial numbers. > > "DPS detectives reviewed a list of Pawn Shops that purchased or loaned money for any firearms matching the make and caliber that were identified by the DPS CRCL. DPS detectives collected the firearms that matched the search. > > "Investigative research conducted on the identified Leslie Merritt Jr., date of birth 06/20/1994, as the individual who pawned one of the firearms collected. > > "Investigative research on Merritt’s social media pages identified several references to the “I-10 shooter” case. > > "The DPS CRCL test fired the firearm pawned by Merritt. The test-fired bullets were matches to the bullets and bullet fragments from the four cases listed above. > > "A records check was completed for Merritt. Merritt’s driver’s license shows he currently resides (addressed redacted) in Glendale. Surveillance was conducted (on the dwelling). Surveillance units watched Merritt pull up, exit a Saturn, entered the residence by himself, stayed for approximately three minutes and leave in the Saturn. > > “DPS detectives interviewed Merritt after his arrest. During the interviews Merritt revealed he has been in possession of the firearm since he purchased it new. Merritt said he always carries the firearm with him. Merritt also said the only time he was not in possession of the firearm were the times he pawned it for extra money. **At the time of the shootings in question the firearm was not in pawn status.** ” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/12 "2015-09-20T18:12:39Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > In Maricopa County? Doesn’t sound like an Hispanic name, so I’m surprised he was even suspected. 😛 [sarcasm] But he got hisself a _girl’s_ name. Must be one of them faggots they heared so much about. [/sarcasm] ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/13 "2015-09-21T05:05:00Z")
Why pawn a weapon used in a notorious series of crimes? Is he just that stupid, or was someone else doing the shooting? ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2015, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/14 "2015-09-21T06:00:40Z")
> [@grude](#): > > Is he just that stupid… Given the nature of the crime, the answer is clearly “yes”. Taking potshots at random cars has nothing to offer a less stupid man. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/15 "2015-09-24T17:37:55Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > No wonder judges do tell the suspects that if they want to talk that everything they say could be used against them. Merritt did claim to the judge (after he was warned) that he had pawned the gun and it was not in his possession at the times of the shootings, but the latest reports show that he is not telling the whole truth: (From the court documents) > > [http://www.kpho.com/story/30072978/new-court-document-offers-1st-look-into-initial-freeway-shootings](http://www.kpho.com/story/30072978/new-court-document-offers-1st-look-into-initial-freeway-shootings) You know, with all that detail, “_At the time of the shootings in question the firearm was not in pawn status._” is awful imprecise. Why not say\* exactly \*when the gun entered Pawn? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/16 "2015-09-25T14:27:38Z")
It sounds like it was in and out of pawn - that he was borrowing money against it repeatedly - rather than sold. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/17 "2015-09-25T17:42:07Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > It sounds like it was in and out of pawn - that he was borrowing money against it repeatedly - rather than sold. Then, since we have all those details, let us have the details of when it was in Pawn vs the shootings. Being very exact and detailed on everything _but_ that is suspicious. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/18 "2015-09-25T18:47:30Z")
> [@](#): > > “On September 3, 2015, at approximately 1358 hours, DPS CRCL personnel identified the bullets and fragments were fired from a weapon with a specific lot of serial numbers.” > > "DPS detectives reviewed a list of Pawn Shops that purchased or loaned money for any firearms matching the make and caliber that were identified by the DPS CRCL. DPS detectives collected the firearms that matched the search. Wha…? This is the interesting part. The Crime Lab was able to determine (from recovered bullets that have passed through glass and/or steel) not only the caliber of bullet, not only the make of the firearm, not only the model of firearm, but a specific list of serial numbers?! ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/19 "2015-09-25T19:12:55Z")
On some cases like this the police do not always release all the information they have (and they’re not required to) and sometimes even release intentionally vague or slightly misleading information as an investigative tool. Not saying they did so here, but it is something to keep in mind when trying to speculate. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926/20 "2015-09-25T19:16:12Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > investigative tool. Is that, like, Geraldo Rivera? 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-leslie-allen-merritt-jr-the-phoenix-az-freeway-shooter/731926.md?page=2)