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Published on January 16, 2025
Man Fatally Shot During Highway Altercation on I-10 in Phoenix, Police Seek WitnessesSource: Unsplash/Max Fleischmann

A violent exchange on Interstate 10 turned fatal yesterday morning when, according to the Phoenix Police Department, one man shot another man during an altercation while driving on the busy freeway. The incident, which occurred around 8 a.m. near the 75th Avenue exit in west Phoenix, led to the victim's car crashing into the median barrier. The shooter then exited the freeway and contacted the authorities, as per statements from KTAR News.

Phoenix Police Sergeant Brian Bower disclosed in a press conference, "One individual fired his gun at the other individual, striking and killing him on the freeway. That car went into the center median, where it crashed," a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix. The disruption caused significant traffic backups as the westbound section of I-10 was shut down from 59th Avenue until it reopened at 4 p.m., while the eastbound HOV lane was also closed until about 1:30 p.m., this complicated travel on adjacent routes such as the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway.

Authorities have yet to unveil the identities of the individuals involved, or their relation to one another, if any exists. The exact origin of the incident is also under investigation, with police narrowing their search between 67th Avenue and 75th Avenue along I-10. What instigated the bitter altercation that led to one man's death remains, for now, shrouded in uncertainty.

Sgt. Bower highlighted the ongoing investigation by urging the public for assistance. "There's critical information that we just don't know," he told KTAR News. The Phoenix Police Department is calling for any witnesses, or anyone with cell phone or dashcam video of the incident to step forward. Information can be shared by contacting the Phoenix Police through their nonemergency line at 602-262-6151.