Communities Incredulous After Teen's Sniper Arrest

People who know Zachariah Blanton in his hometown of Gaston are shocked at the idea that he could be the person behind the interstate sniper shootings that terrorized the state.

Blanton faces murder, attempted murder and criminal recklessness charges in connection with the series of interstate shootings Sunday that killed one man and injured another.

Blanton's grandparents have custody of the 17-year-old. Investigators went back to his rural home Tuesday night to look for more evidence.

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Hometown Can't Believe Teen's Sniper Arrest

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Blanton's grandfather stood outside the home as investigators scoured it inch-by-inch, 6News' Ericka Flye reported.

Blanton was a student at Wes-Del High School, where the superintendent was incredulous at the boy's arrest.

"I knew Zach. I would not have ... said that would be something that he would do," said superintendent Steve McColley.

Blanton was going to be a senior this year at the high school. The hulking 6 foot, 4 inch, 330-pound boy played on the school's football team.

Blanton has had trouble with the law before. Police said Tuesday that it involved sex crimes and theft, but they did not release further information. He was not convicted in any prior case.

Community Where Fatal Shooting Occurred Reacts

Blanton is being held in the Jackson County Jail, the same county where the fatal shooting took place. People who live in Seymour have strong feelings about his arrest.

The small southern Indiana community has spent more than 72 hours living in fear after the early-morning shootings on I-65.

Indiana State Police investigators packed metal detectors as they searched again through the Seymour overpass where the shootings are believed to have taken place.

An uncertain calm set over the community when news of the arrest broke late Tuesday afternoon, 6News' Jennifer Carmack reported.

"Hopefully, this is over, and it was just one person in both incidences," said Seymour resident Linda Lewis.

Residents joined others in wanting to know what the motivation was for seemingly random, senseless shootings.

"Why would you do that? Why would you kill somebody innocent who didn't do anything to you," said resident Chris Kriete. "What's the point?"

Blanton will be formally charged on Tuesday at 11 a.m.