Over the past several days, MCPD has responded to several calls of subjects driving around shooting vehicles and persons with paintballs from a paintball gun. Although these pranksters may think that this is just good fun, this type of behavior can be very dangerous as was the case Friday afternoon.
A 40 – year – old male was pumping gas at the BP Gas Station located at 1204 Franklin Street when he heard a popping sound and immediately felt stings on his body from an unknown projectile. The male subject then saw someone out of the passenger side window of a passing vehicle with what appeared to be a gun. The male subject, thinking that he was being shot at by the passenger in this vehicle , drew his concealed firearm and fired several shots at the vehicle. The police were immediately called to the scene and learned that the male subject had been struck with several paintballs. The male subject who fired the shots at the passing vehicle had a valid handgun license and cooperated fully with officers.
Officers began investigating and learned that a similar incident of people being shot with paintballs had occurred earlier in the day in the 800 Block of Franklin Street. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during these incidents . We would like to send a message to the community that this type of behavior can be extremely dangerous. Not only could an event like on Friday occur which could lead to someone getting seriously hurt or killed, but indiscriminately shooting paintballs at people and vehicles can lead to serious injuries and property damage. MCPD will not tolerate this type of behavior and will arrest and seek prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to those that are found to be engaged in this type of criminal behavior.
Anyone with information on this incident can contact Officer Charles Henderson at 219 – 874 – 3221. We would also like to remind the public that you can contact us via Facebook Messenger, through our crime tip hotline number of 219 – 873 – 1488, or you can also call the WeTip Hotline for General Crime (800) 78 – CRIME and possibly receive a reward upon an arrest and conviction. All WeTip call information is sent directly to the LaPorte County Prosecutor’s Office. You can always request to remain anonymous!