Paintball attacks sting motorists in Berkeley

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 7/19/6 | Jim Herron Zamora

[SmithL]

Berkeley motorists and pedestrians -- and even a dog -- have been stung by paintballs at 10 different locations in recent weeks, likely by someone who is firing the projectiles from a car, police say. One victim was reportedly struck in the throat.

"These incidents have caused welts, distress and damage by a variety of paintball colors," Sgt. Mary Kusmiss said. "The victims thus far have escaped serious injury, although the possibility is very real."

The first attacks began on June 13 and the last one happened Sunday, police said. The incidents were typically in the afternoon or just before sunset. They were spread across several neighborhoods, sparing only the southwest areas of the city and the Berkeley hills. Most attacks were on or near busy main streets such as Shattuck or University avenues.

"To date, there does not appear to be a pattern in terms of the type or activity of the victims, location or time of day of the attacks," Kusmiss wrote. "Berkeley Police patrol officers and investigators have few leads in putting the series to rest. We are asking the community's help in solving these cases."

The victims include a person who was stuck in the throat and a driver who became startled and nearly lost control when struck while driving in heavy traffic on Shattuck Avenue, police said.

"We're very concerned, especially in these cases where the victim was driving a car in a busy street," Kusmiss said. "One victim said she was shocked and froze and didn't know what to do."

Police believe that the projectiles were fired from a moving car. But they do not have a consistent description of the car or the shooter.

"The detectives are pretty sure that the person or persons who fired these are in a moving car,"

[SmithL]

Discontent in this Worker's Paradise?

[SmithL]

Beserkeley, like most Bay Area cities, has already established the policy of picking and choosing which laws to acknowledge.

[phoenix0468]

"We're very concerned, especially in these cases where the victim was driving a car in a busy street," Kusmiss said. "One victim said she was shocked and froze and didn't know what to do."

See now, if she had had a real firearm, she could have shown those boys a thing or two by at least pulling it out, or even pumping a couple of rounds into their vehicle. "Hey, I thought they were pointing a shotgun at me?"

[oyez]

Coming soon, paint ball guns being made illegal, all because of a couple of idiots.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

GUNS DON'T PAINT PEOPLE, PEOPLE PAINT PEOPLE.

[martin_fierro]

The suspects are innocent until proven Fabulous.

[melt]

As they say, "The more you fight paintball terrorists--- the more paintball terrorists you produce."

It's a quagmire. The only viable solution is to call for an immediate ceasefire, and try to understand what America did to make paintballers so mad.

[Dallas59]

"One victim said she was shocked and froze and didn't know what to do."

She should have blamed Bush.