Thread: Could it be Coyote payback? Police are in denial...

Man hurt in Tempe freeway shooting
By Kristina Davis, Tribune
December 31, 2005
In the East Valley’s second freeway shooting this month, a bullet grazed a passenger’s skull Friday when a gunman on Interstate 10 opened fire on a car during morning rush hour.

Related Links
Today's Top Stories
News

The Tempe incident, which appears to be random, is similar to a fatal shooting on U.S. 60 in Mesa earlier this month, although police don’t believe they are related.

The victim in Friday’s shooting, identified only as a 25-year-old man from Mexico, is expected to survive the gunshot wound that sliced through his scalp.

The man, who was a backseat passenger, was traveling with three other men to a construction job in Chandler at 6:30 a.m. when a dark sport utility vehicle pulled alongside the car, which was in the car pool lane, police said.

The shooter rolled down his window, pointed a gun at the men and fired at least once into the car as the victims tried to speed away.

The bullet shattered the back window, burrowed through the victim’s scalp and traveled several inches before exiting.

The car traveled east on Interstate 10 near Tempe Diablo Stadium, then swerved across several lanes of traffic to get onto eastbound U.S. 60 and exit at Mill Avenue. Seeing signs for a hospital ahead, they made their way toward Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital but then passed it.

The car finally stopped at Mill Avenue and 10th Street near Arizona State University, where police responded to a 911 call. The man was taken to Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn hospital.

The three other men in the car told investigators that they did not know the gunman or recognize the vehicle.

The shooter is described as a heavyset Hispanic man who was driving a dark newer-model SUV, similar to a Chevrolet Suburban or GMC Yukon, with dark tinted windows.

"It appears to be random," said Tempe police Sgt. Dan Masters. "Road rage is certainly a strong likelihood as something we’re looking into."

The shooting is similar to a Dec. 9 incident on U.S. 60 that killed the driver of a pickup truck.

The occupants were returning from a construction job in Globe during afternoon rush hour when a tan Cadillac pulled alongside it. A rear passenger rolled down the window and shot Yeri Jose Guadalupe Garcia, 18, of Clarksville, Ark., with a rifle.

Mesa investigators said Friday they still have no motive and are searching for a tan metallic Cadillac. The car had Cadillac emblems on the body and wheels and dark tinted windows â€â€

My ex lived off Mill Avenue when he was 16 until his Mom passed away. They they rented it the place and then sold it a few years ago. I know that intersection well. A really nice area now turned into a crime zone.

I'd say the Coyote probably wants some money the workers haven't paid yet. As good a theory as "road rage". That's a cop out. People with "tinted windows" don't start shooting on public roads and draw that kind of attention to themselves because of "road rage".

Thanks, Judy.

How come this isn't generating more conversation?

Don't know. Sometimes an article will get overlooked because of the time of day or the day of the week or the title of the posting. People should be commenting on this...heavily. Mill Avenue in Tempe used to be safe. I'd walk to the grocery store, my ex-s mom would walk to the store and to the library from this intersection. Now...it's obvious such a walk could be life threatening in a SHOOT OUT!!

Sad, so so sad to see these once beautiful areas turned to third world criminal crap holes.

I care..mapwife. I would just be there for a week or so visiting, but it was a lovely area and this is just so sad. Thousands of college students that rode their bikes or walked to campus on these very sidewalks live in this area of Tempe.

Sad, tragic.

GET THIS SCUM OUT OF THE COUNTRY AND DO IT NOW!!

shooter is described as a heavyset Hispanic man who was driving a dark newer-model SUV,

tan Cadillac pulled alongside it.

This seems to be a common thread. How can they AFFORD all of these expensive vehicles???