The woman was later released, but the 19-year-old male suspect was kept in police custody, as sources stated that he boasted about the shootings to friends.

[8] Three 18-year-olds with a slingshot were arrested on September 13 on claims that they had been making copycat attacks,[9] and the three admitted to targeting cars and pedestrians.

[1] One day after his arrest, police claimed that they had linked the first four shootings to a pistol owned by Merritt.

[14] He was charged with fifteen felony counts, including carrying out a drive-by shooting, aggravated assault, unlawfully discharging a firearm, disorderly conduct, and endangerment; prosecutors also considered filing terrorism charges, but ultimately did not, as terrorism-related laws focused primarily on protecting public utilities and did not encompass freeway shootings.

Merritt was formally cleared of all charges and records were sealed in an August 2020 proceeding with Maricopa County Superior Court Judge William Wingard presiding, who stated "Leslie Allen Merritt Jr. has been cleared of any allegation or charge, and such a finding is in the interest of justice.