Police: Group of juveniles responsible for BB gun attacks
Columbia police say a group of kids is responsible for several incidents of BB gun fire that have damaged property and injured people in the past few weeks.
The Columbia Police Department in a news release said officers have responded to reports of property damage including car windows, glass storm doors and house windows and injuries that have required surgery to remove BB pellets.
Investigators determined the events were “organized” by a group of juveniles, police said in the release, and many of them have been identified and interrogated by juvenile officers. The property damage and injuries can result in felony charges, police said.
City ordinance prohibits firing “any gun,” including air rifles.
“If an officer is responding to a call of shots fired or a person with a gun, they will respond as if the gun is real,” interim CPD Chief Geoff Jones said in the release. “When they arrive on the scene, officers won’t initially know if it’s a real gun or if it’s a BB gun, airsoft gun or something other than a real weapon. A split second interaction could escalate if the person with the BB gun points it at officers or bystanders.”
Casey McDermott told ABC 17 News that someone fired airsoft pellets into her tree on Hickman Ave. several days ago. She said she heard the sound of the gun go off, and her niece ran inside to warn of someone shooting.
“Even if it’s a BB gun, there needs to be some kind of gun safety training, regardless of what kind it is,” McDermott said.
Chris Horn said that he hasn’t experienced the airsoft gunfire yet in his north Columbia neighborhood. He said he believes the guns are just dangerous toys.
“They really don’t lead to anything positive,” Horn said. “The kids can hurt themselves, obviously they’re out there causing property damage. And worst case scenario, you find yourself in a situation with a police officer, and they don’t know the difference between a BB gun and a real gun.”
Police ask anyone with information about these incidents to call the department at 573-874-7652 or CrimeStoppers at 573-875-8477 to remain anonymous.
