Experts aren't surprised to see that a Phoenix serial shooter is possibly changing up his method of operation, or "M-O."
ABC Network Criminal Analyst and Former FBI agent Brad Garrett told ABC15 that it’s not uncommon for serial killers to move locations, especially if they feel police are close.
"If the police intensify on a particular neighborhood, or if there's enough intelligence gathered that could identify that person, they'll maybe switch neighborhoods, switch times, switch days," Garrett said.
A change in MO may have been what happened in the latest shooting case connected to the serial killer.
The shooting of a 21-year-old man and a 4-year-old boy near 32nd and Oak streets is 15 miles from where police said the shooter was striking in Maryvale. This shooting also happened in broad daylight instead of the dark of night when he typically strikes.
"He doesn't want to get caught, and there's enough heat in west Phoenix in that one particular neighborhood that enough is enough in his mind," Garrett said.
Phoenix police have released a sketch of what the serial shooter may look like, along with the two cars he reportedly was seen driving. One is a dark-colored, late 90s to early 2000s BMW. The other is a white Lincoln or Cadillac-type car.
Garrett told ABC15 that switching up cars is another way to keep detectives guessing.
"As scenes progress and you go from one shooting to another, it gives police less continuity. You don't have the benefit of previous intel of car descriptions, so it’s another game on his part not to get caught," Garrett said.
Garrett added that, in his experience, most serial shooters like to engage their victims by luring them, hurting them and then killing them, but Phoenix's serial shooter seems to keep his distance.
"Your shooter doesn't want anything to do with them as far as personal contact. He's basically ambushing them from his vehicle or outside his vehicle," Garrett said.
Garrett also feels that's how the shooter may be in day-to-day interactions.
"My guess is that's probably how he is to a certain extent in real life, probably not close in relationships and probably a distant person from those around him whether it be with family and at work," Garrett said.
Phoenix police are looking for the public’s help in catching the serial street shooter. If you know anything, suspect anything or see anything, call Phoenix police or Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
