Arizona's top law enforcement officials gathered Thursday to address the latest efforts in the ongoing search for a serial shooter targeting victims on the streets of Phoenix.
Silent Witness reward raised to $75,000 for the Serial Street Shooter case. Local & federal agencies work together. pic.twitter.com/ZCe6Bk13hN
— Phoenix Police (@phoenixpolice) August 25, 2016
FULL COVERAGE: Phoenix serial shootings
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced at the press conference that his office has donated $25,000 to capture the suspect. The total reward is now $75,000 for information leading to an arrest. The money includes financial donations from numerous agencies in the Valley.
During the press conference, Mayor Greg Stanton said the shooter is not just targeting the Maryvale area. The shootings have spanned from 73rd Avenue to 32nd Street and Camelback Road to Van Buren Street.
The City of Phoenix, Arizona Attorney General, Maricopa County Attorney, FBI, US Marshal Service and ATF all gathered at Phoenix Police Headquarters on Thursday to talk about the case.
Phoenix police Chief Joseph Yahner mentioned officials have received about 1,500 tips from the public. The department has 30+ police and detectives on a task force working the Serial Street Shooter case.
“We’ve done everything you can possibly think of and if there's something we haven't thought of we'll think of it tomorrow and we'll do it,” said Phoenix Police Department Chief Joseph Yahner. “I mean we have the FBI, we have all the partners involved. Everybody's very competent, very knowledgable in how to solve crimes.”
Law enforcement agencies collaborating with Phoenix police include: the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, Arizona Department of Public Safety, Arizona Attorney General’s Office and the Maricopa County Attorney. Chief Yahner said Thursday’s show of force should let people know that catching the street shooter is a statewide, and even federal, priority.
“Also we have deputy U.S. State Marshals. We’ve beefed them up in the Valley to look at individuals with warrants, fugitive warrants, even misdemeanor warrants that we normally wouldn't look into, to determine if somebody fits the profile that's been doing these shootings,” said David Gonzales with the U.S. Marshals Service.
Seven people have been killed by the serial shooter. He also has wounded two others since the first shooting on March 17.
Everyone injured in the shootings was either walking in a neighborhood or in front of a home.
The most recent shooting happened in a neighborhood near 32nd Street and Oak, where the suspect fired on an occupied vehicle parked outside of a home. The driver did not sustain any injuries.
Many of the communities targeted by the street shooter have been heavily Hispanic. Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery offered a passionate plea to keep the tips coming from those communities without fear of immigration backlash.
“No charges, whatsoever, from my office. This is a team effort. Everybody in the community. And we need them to participate. Is that clear?” said Montgomery. “For Heaven sake, I don't want anyone to be reluctant in coming forward, whether they think it's significant or not, and then be concerned because they shared that information they could get in trouble.”
If you see something suspicious in your community and it is an active scene, call 911 immediately. If you have a tip about the case, call 480-WITNESS.
FULL COVERAGE: Phoenix serial shootings
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