MESA, Ariz. — A man is in the hospital after he was shot Friday morning while driving down a major highway in Mesa, officials with the Department of Public Safety said.
Troopers have another man, the suspected shooter, in custody and a DPS investigation is now underway.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Balacera sobre la US 60 en Mesa deja a un conductor hospitalizado
According to reports, the shooting happened in the westbound lanes of US 60 between Power and Higley roads just before 8 a.m.
The man who was shot was able to stop his car on the gravel shoulder of the roadway and call 911. First responders took him to the hospital in "critical but stable condition," DPS said.
DPS is not calling the situation road rage but a shooting. However, it is the third shooting on Valley freeways in recent weeks.
"Shootings on highways happen all the time across the country and Phoenix - the Phoenix area - is no exception to that. That's why we want people to remain safe and we want people to de-escalate by getting out of the situation as quickly and safely as they can," Warren Trent, Public Information Manager for DPS said. "Because we don't want them gesturing to another driver, you know, that's just going to inflame the situation. The bottom line is getting cut off shouldn't get you killed."
Officials did not disclose any further details about the suspected shooter's identity or what possible charges could be filed in the case. What led up to the shooting is still under investigation.
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