Authorities in Arizona arrested three teenagers in what they called a “copycat” case that mimicked a string of shootings and other attacks in the Phoenix area over the last two weeks.
The three 18-year-olds allegedly used slingshots to shoot granite rocks at pedestrians and vehicles, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Arizona Department of Public Safety Director Frank Milstead said at a news conference Sunday afternoon.
Arpaio said the teens admitted to shooting at six pedestrians at State Route 24 and Ellsworth Road within a four-hour period on Saturday.
Among the victims was a couple whose car window shattered from the rocks, he said.
“The victims were smart enough to get the license plate of the vehicle that pulled up alongside,” Arpaio told reporters, adding that their vigilance led to the teens’ arrests.
The attacks are “still serious,” despite being copycat crimes, Arpaio said.
Since Aug. 29, more than 10 vehicles have been shot at along a stretch of Interstate 10 from central Phoenix to 5 miles west of downtown.
Only one person, a 13-year-old girl, has been injured, though it remains unclear whether she was struck by a projectile or wounded by debris after the vehicle she was riding in was shot at.
Eight of the vehicles were hit by bullets, police said. The other three were struck with “other projectiles,” though he would not describe them. Authorities would not comment on the caliber of ammunition or type of weapon used in any of the incidents.
Times staff writer James Queally contributed to this report.
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