MIAMI (WSVN) - A string of recent paintball attacks in a Miami neighborhood have left several victims injured.
Residents who were shot by someone wielding the paintball gun said these attacks are not funny pranks, and Miami Police are working to see if these attacks are related.
Police said a man was found with paint on his hands and a welt on his back, near Northwest 54th Street and Third Avenue in Northwest Miami-Dade, Tuesday evening.
“I was walking down the street, and I got shot by two guys with paintball guns,” said the man, who did not wish to be identified
The man said there was no warning before the paintballs came flying at him, and the people in the passing car never said anything to him.
“They shot, and I ran,” said the man. “Why would they shoot me, of all people? What have I done to you?”
He said he was shot on the leg, arm, chest and back. He showed 7News a bruise on his back he received as a result of the attack.
The victim said one of the subjects was driving while the other fired.
He believes it was a random attack.
According to Miami Police, about six paintball attacks happened on Tuesday in Northwest Miami between 14th and 71st streets.
A string of paintball assaults have been impacting the City of Miami, with the earliest dating back to last week.
“There also have been an additional other five situations involving a paintball gun, and right now we’re trying to confirm if all of the cases are going to be related,” said Miami Police spokesperson Kiara Delva. “We’re trying to figure out if it’s the same subjects involved.”
Another man, Thorris Allen, was also hit Tuesday with orange paint while walking home in the area of Northwest 71st Street and Second Avenue.
Allen said he originally thought he had been hit by a real bullet.
“I thought that I was hit. I thought somebody was shooting guns at me, and I could feel it,” Allen said.
He said the subject was shooting from a passing car.
Police have not given a description of the person or group responsible. They also have not confirmed if the incidents are connected.
“We’re trying to verify to see if this is going on in any other areas,” said Delva, “so anybody who had been a victim of being shot by a paintball gun is urged to contact us with more information, so we can charge these subjects accordingly.”
Officials have not made any arrests but did detain a woman on Tuesday for questioning.
If you have any information on who’s behind this string of paintball attacks, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $1,000 reward.
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