Police arrested a teenage boy Tuesday on suspicion of firing a pellet gun at a person from a moving car in Bodden Town, following a series of similar incidents in recent days.
According to a statement issued by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, the boy was arrested on suspicion of assault after a person was hit by a projectile from a pellet gun fired from a vehicle driving around the area around 8:40pm Monday.
“This report was similar to others that were reported in the previous days,” police said.
The driver of the vehicle was also arrested in relation to the incident, along with other traffic violations, including committing a reckless and negligent act.
The RCIPS said it had received several complaints of late, reporting that groups of young people have been using “what appear to be gel guns or gel blasters capable of discharging water-filled bead pellets or other similar projectiles”.
Police noted that while such pellet guns are not manufactured to be lethal or cause serious injury or harm, “improper use may have adverse or harmful effects”.
They pointed out that, under Section 80 of the Penal Code, “an offensive weapon, as any object, whether made or adapted for that purpose, which is used as a weapon with the intent of causing harm to others” is against the law. The penalty, upon conviction, for use of an offensive weapon is $5,000, or four years in prison.
“The offenses being committed have very serious implications, both for the victims and the persons who are committing these acts of violence against members of the community,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Kurt Walton said in a statement.
“We hope that both the young people who are carrying out these acts and their parents understand the gravity of their actions and take heed to these warnings.
“Regardless of whether they have been manufactured and sold with the purpose of being used as toys, anyone who uses these items to assault or intimidate others, thus using them as offensive weapons, will be prosecuted.”
Police are investigating the matter.
The RCIPS is imploring parents with children, especially teenagers, who are in possession of these pellet guns, to speak with their children about the appropriate use of these items.
Police are also encouraging anyone with information about this and any other incident relating to the use of pellet guns to commit crimes to call the Bodden Town Police Station at 947-2220 or the police station in the districts that the incidents were committed.
Alternatively, anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via its confidential tip line at 949-7777, or via its website.
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This sounds like a paintball gun as are used in paintball “battles”.
I played this once in Florida. The paintballs hurt when they hit you and leave a bruise. You must wear a plastic mask on your face as a hit can blind you.