Random Bullets Spray The Indiana Interstate

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Location of the attacks on Interstate 65 and Interstate 69.

On July 23, 2006, police issued a national alert after reports of an unknown sniper terrorizing Indiana truck drivers. Police say Jerry Ross became the sniper's first victim as he traveled along I-65 from New Albany, Indiana. Jerry was sitting in the passenger side of a pick-up truck when bullets came flying in through the window and killed him. 

Witnesses were unable to give police a description of the suspect. They say all they heard was gunfire, they saw no one.

A Life Saved By An Inch

Police say just hours after the first incident they received notice of two other shootings in the area.

A call from a gas station just off I-65 reported shots fired at a second truck, a pick-up, on the interstate.  There were two men in the car, Brandon Bonnesen and John Hartl. They told police they heard a loud noise and bent over in their truck. John says a bullet grazed past his head near his ear.  He was almost killed, and has no idea who did it or why.

Two hours later, along I-69, a semitrailer and an unattended sports utility vehicle were found riddled with bullet holes. Luckily, no one was injured.  

Police Ask For Help

Police closed a 14 mile long stretch of I-65 and I-69 on Sunday looking for clues.  I-65 is the major artery for cars and trucks from Chicago to Florida.  Police are now asking people in the Seymour, Indiana area to check for bullet holes in their cars. Electronic highway signs encourage the public to report any suspicious behavior to police. Authorities say at this point, they have very little to go on.

Confessions Of An Alleged Killer

Cops say Zachariah Blanton confessed on July 25, 2006 that he was the Indiana Sniper Killer. Blanton's name surfaced when a reserve Delaware County deputy came forward to say he suspected that someone he knew was the shooter. The reserve deputy said he had had dealings with Blanton in the past. After comparing forensic evidence from the crime scene with a gun obtained from Blanton police say they are confident they arrested the right guy.  

Who Is Zachary Blanton?

Blanton was set to graduate next spring from Wes-Del High School in Gaston, IN. Newpapers report that teachers thought Blanton was an average student who played football and and was a shotputter on school teams. 

Police say Blanton will go to court Tuesday afternoon for his preliminary hearing. They are unsure at this time of a motive for the shootings on the interstates of Indiana.