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Interstate Shootings Suspect in Court Today
WISH TV ^ | July 26, 2006 07:05 AM EDT

Posted on 07/26/2006 4:17:08 AM PDT by Samwise

Wednesday morning, a 17-year-old accused of the interstate shootings is in jail. Zachariah Blanton is accused of killing one man and wounding another in the Sunday morning shootings.

It's been a quick turn of events. Early Sunday morning, four separate shootings took place on I-65 and I-69 in Indiana. Tuesday evening, State Police announced they had arrested a suspect, and now that suspect is scheduled to appear in court in Jackson County at 11:00 a.m.

Blanton has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and criminal recklessness.

Police believe he was the only shooter, but they have not given a motive for the shootings. They say he has been in trouble for sex and theft crimes in the past.

Governor Mitch Daniels commended law enforcement for this quick arrest.

"Indiana has now been spared through the combined efforts of these outstanding professionals the sort of fear, uncertainty and disruption that has befallen other jurisdictions elsewhere," said Daniels.

Bullet fragments from the shooting scene indicate a Remington 710 rifle was the murder weapon, and that's what officers found when they searched Blanton's home.

Blanton is from the small town of Gaston, Indiana just northwest of Muncie. 24-Hour News 8 visited Blanton's home Tuesday and spoke with those who knew him.

While family members say Blanton is not capable of committing these crimes, his schoolmates describe him as a troubled teen.

"He's always been pretty crazy," said schoolmate Joe Snyder. "He's a nut. He always has been. He's got in trouble a lot, a troublemaker. He's gotten into all kinds of trouble for being mean to people."

"Not exactly a wonderful person but not a terrible person either," added schoolmate Tara Jones. "He made mistakes, just like everyone else, but I didn't think he would do something like this."

Blanton's neighbors expressed concern for the teen's family, saying they are nice people who they've always gotten along with.

"We've talked with them, very nice," said neighbor Linda Antrim. "You can't ask for better neighbors, really."

Meanwhile, neighbors in Seymour are breathing a sign of relief after hearing police made an arrest.

Donna Duttlinger lives just yards from the overpass where police say Blanton shot and killed one man and injured another. Duttlinger says ever since the shootings, she didn't feel safe in her own house.

"Just knowing that I was sleeping with my child and got a weirdo on the bridge, that's scary," she said.

Since the weekend shootings, some motorists driving up and down Indiana's interstates have felt a sense of fear. Travelers worried about their safety. Those feelings have disappeared with the announcement of Blanton's arrest.

24-Hour News 8 will have complete coverage of Blanton's court appearance today on News 8 at Noon and right here on WISHTV.com.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: indiana; interstate; shooting; teen
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1 posted on 07/26/2006 4:17:09 AM PDT by Samwise
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To: Samwise

2 posted on 07/26/2006 4:18:02 AM PDT by Samwise (All that is needed for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.)
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To: Samwise

He looks like the kid who did the dance video. Of course, who hasn't done a dance video?


3 posted on 07/26/2006 4:21:26 AM PDT by Right Wing Assault ("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
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To: Samwise
"Grand Theft Auto" is a great tutorial, isn't it? Some people don't understand reality!


4 posted on 07/26/2006 4:21:53 AM PDT by pageonetoo (You'll spot their posts soon enough!)
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To: Samwise

Wow! If this is indeed the perp, sounds like great detective work.


5 posted on 07/26/2006 4:23:32 AM PDT by don-o (Proudly posting without reading the thread since 1998. (stolen from one cool dude))
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To: Miss Marple

A better...Ping!


6 posted on 07/26/2006 4:25:01 AM PDT by Guenevere (Israel, our friend and ally.....God bless her.)
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To: don-o

They got a tip from an aquaintance.


7 posted on 07/26/2006 4:26:42 AM PDT by Right Wing Assault ("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
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To: Samwise

Has anyone ever been arrested where some neighbor or family member doesnt say"I cant believe he is capable of this?" I have a kid up the street from me who is capable of anything. When something bad happens my thoughts always go directly to him. One day he will get his, I just hope he isnt robbing my garage when it happens.


8 posted on 07/26/2006 4:26:48 AM PDT by sgtbono2002 (The fourth estate is a fifth column.)
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To: Right Wing Assault

TIps are good


9 posted on 07/26/2006 4:27:29 AM PDT by don-o (Proudly posting without reading the thread since 1998. (stolen from one cool dude))
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To: Samwise

Thanks for posting. BTTT.


10 posted on 07/26/2006 4:27:43 AM PDT by PGalt
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To: Samwise
While family members say Blanton is not capable of committing these crimes
What family is that - the Ostrich family?
11 posted on 07/26/2006 4:29:21 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: pageonetoo

I think the video game folks will be coming out with a "Turnpike Shooter" game one of these days, if they haven't already.

"How many unsuspecting tourists, vacationers, and just plain folks can you kill before the police gun you down? Pick you choice of weapon, your favorite highway, and let the fun begin! Play 'Turnpike Shooter' today! Available at all stores!"


12 posted on 07/26/2006 4:30:03 AM PDT by Right Wing Assault ("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
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To: don-o

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060726/NEWS01/607260436

This is a link to another article from a source that we can't post.


13 posted on 07/26/2006 4:30:15 AM PDT by Samwise (All that is needed for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.)
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To: pageonetoo
"Grand Theft Auto" is a great tutorial, isn't it?

Yep. I've read Charles Whitman was addicted to this game when he murdered 15 people from a tower at the University of Texas in 1966.

Seriously though, it sounds like few were surprised at Blanton's decent into homicide.

14 posted on 07/26/2006 4:30:32 AM PDT by Drew68
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To: sgtbono2002

He's just a shy kid who likes to weld. ***rolss eyes**

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060726/NEWS01/607260437


15 posted on 07/26/2006 4:31:50 AM PDT by Samwise (All that is needed for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.)
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To: Samwise

***rolls eyes and can't type***


16 posted on 07/26/2006 4:33:14 AM PDT by Samwise (All that is needed for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing.)
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To: Right Wing Assault
I think the video game folks will be coming out with a "Turnpike Shooter" game one of these days, if they haven't already.

An old one from the archives:

'Beltway Sniper' Video-Game Release Delayed Out Of Respect For Victims

17 posted on 07/26/2006 4:33:23 AM PDT by Drew68
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To: Samwise

Sam - thanks for posting the update - thank God, great police work, and whoever the tipster was, that this nutjob was captured so quick!


18 posted on 07/26/2006 4:38:10 AM PDT by Hegemony Cricket (Rugged individualists of the world, unite!)
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To: Samwise
Star Wars kid?


19 posted on 07/26/2006 4:41:30 AM PDT by Rb ver. 2.0
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To: Samwise

Here's the dance video kid. The sniper looks too skinny.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6377855743675143177


20 posted on 07/26/2006 4:42:00 AM PDT by Right Wing Assault ("..this administration is planning a 'Right Wing Assault' on values and ideals.." - John Kerry)
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