In a tweet, Governor Ducey said, “We got him!” and that the individual was “apprehended moments ago.”
The arrest was made by the Arizona Department of Public Safety SWAT team (DPS).
BREAKING: We got him! DPS SWAT team is in custody of the individual suspected of I-10 shootings. Apprehended moments ago.
— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) September 19, 2015
Arizona DPS Director Frank Milstead confirmed the arrest of the I-10 shooting suspect as well, according to local Fox 10.
Citing a source at DPS, Fox 10 added that the suspect has “anti-government” views and used a handgun.
The suspect has been identified as 21-year-old Leslie Allen Merritt by officials.
#breaking: Suspected Arizona freeway shooter ID'd as 21-year-old Leslie Allen Merritt Jr. – Goes by Les on @facebook. pic.twitter.com/pkwHQHwAA9
— Preston Phillips 🇺🇸 (@PrestonTVNews) September 19, 2015
Local media has already begun digging into the suspect’s social media accounts, bringing up videos of him shooting a gun outside.
However, the suspect’s father told local ABC 15 that his son is not responsible.
So far, the gun being linked to the suspect has been traced to four of the freeway shooting incidents, Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio said in a Facebook post.