Story highlights DPS spokesman says he doesn't want to debate suspect, evidence speaks for itself

Suspect makes first court appearance, denies he's interstate shooter

Suspect "forensically linked" to four of 11 shootings on I-10, authorities say

(CNN) A suspect in Phoenix's recent highway shootings denied Saturday he had anything to do with the case as a judge set his bail at $1 million.

Leslie Allen Merritt Jr., who was arrested Friday, shook his head as a prosecutor asked the judge to set bail at that mark at a court hearing, and the suspect took in a deep breath when the judge agreed.

"All I have to say is I'm the wrong guy," Merritt, 21, told the judge. "I tried to tell the detectives that. My gun's been in the pawn shop for the last two months. I haven't even had access to a weapon."

Police have said the suspect was "forensically linked" to the first four shootings along Interstate 10 in downtown Phoenix.

"The evidence as you will see in the next couple of days speaks for itself," Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Bart Graves told reporters. "We're not going to get into a debate (with the suspect)."

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