Teen jailed in paintball shooting (Pedestrian Shoots Prankster update)

The Denver Post ^ | Saturday, April 06, 2002 | Not given

[pa_dweller]

original article post

[pa_dweller]

Paintball shooting update

[FITZ]

fair condition

Over a paintball gun shot?

[pa_dweller]

No, Bartells returned fire on Witherwax with a real, go bang, gun. Witherwax has improved, the night of the incident he was listed in serious condition.

[FITZ]

Okay ---I read all that too fast and missed that altogether. He really over-reacted.

[pa_dweller]

He really over-reacted.

There's a different sentiment on the original thread (see post #1). In any case, I think Mr. Witherwax will give sober consideration to any future nighttime paintball truck excursions.

[zandtar]

Okay ---I read all that too fast and missed that altogether. He really over-reacted.

Hindsight is 20/20. The more professional paintgun's look like shotguns at a glance. Especially if one is pointed at you in a non-paintball set up. The idiot was the one driving around with this thing, pointing it and shooting it at people for "fun". If it was a professional style paintball gun, these are NOT like the crap-ola ones you'll find at ToysR'Us. They're usually a 50 caliber size, and can approach muzzle velocities of a .45 caliber round. Get shot with one of those when you're not expecting it, with no protection, and the initial feeling is that you've been shot.

[Texaggie79]

Wait, did he shoot him in the car while being shot at, or did he chase him down and shoot him?

If he shot him while being shot at, it's justifiable self defense, and the teen should be dead from doing such a stupid ass thing.

[Still Using Air]

  Hi, well, just to clarify some things... paintball markers shoot .68 caliber paint.
 The velocities used on the field are from 250 to 285fps, nowhere near a .45 pistol. They can, however be adjusted to shoot in the upper 350fps range.
 Having just returned from a 24hour paintball scenario meet in Phoenix, I am exhausted, and despit having been 'shot' approximately more times than my tired
brain can count, I am still very much alive and unharmed.
 I just wanted to get some facts straight. There seems to be some hysteria over the wicked paintball marker.
 I totally agree, anyone using a paintball marker outside the 'rules of paintball' needs their butt kicked. However, not shot in the head.
Using a marker for this stupid 'fun' is the same as using a pellet gun, bb gun, anything that can cause serious injury.
 The reason we wear masks is to protect our eyes and face. They don't usually do serious injury to the body, aside from some .68 welts
that disappear in a few days at the most.

[Ward Smythe]

I totally agree, anyone using a paintball marker outside the 'rules of paintball' needs their butt kicked. However, not shot in the head.

In once sense I agree. But it was dark, and we can assume he reacted quickly. These days how can you know?

I was out walking the baby yesterday afternoon when a mini-van (obviously mom's car) full of teenage boys drove through. I watched them stop and one of them threw a liquor bottle (I think it was actually a Bacardi's cooler from the broken glass I found) down in a drainage ditch. They were stupid enough to drive back through the neighborhood so I got the plate number and called the police. I had the baby with me, so I wouldn't engage them and I'm not sure I would've anyway.

But if I'd been armed, mom would at least have to be buying some new tires this morning.

[Still Using Air]

 I don't think that response would have been adequate, personally. Did they throw it AT you?
If not, why would you throw out some high powered lead at a moving vehicle, chancing a ricochet into a nearby house? Just curious.

 ...on a brighter note, an addendum to my previous post, where I pretty much said paintball was nothing to be afraid of... UNLESS......

[zandtar]

I totally agree, anyone using a paintball marker outside the 'rules of paintball' needs their butt kicked. However, not shot in the head.

As I said, hindsight is 20/20. Point one of those at someone in a non-daylight situation, and the person you're pointing it at is armed, be prepared to get blown away. As Forrest says, stupid is as stupid does.

[zandtar]

I am still very much alive and unharmed.

Your example is also a professional one, played by people willing to participate, and under control of those who know what they're doing. Don't assume that anyone who's going to drive around, shooting one of these at people for "fun" is going to follow the same rules.

This is your eye.... this is your eye vs paintball

[socal_parrot]

Check this out.

Paint-Ball Victim Declared Dead

[Still Using Air]

 I think you misunderstood my stance on using paintball markers outside a controlled environment. I never condone this.
 My intent was to dispel some misinformation and hysteria that seems to be building against this sport because of some really really stupid people.

[Palmetto]

I agree. There is nothing about playing paintball in a controlled atmosphere that is inherently dangerous.

However, as both a regular player of paintball and a CWP carrier, if some perp starts lobbing .68 at me on the street, and I'm not wearing a mask, I'm going to start lobbing back .40 S&W.

[zandtar]

My intent was to dispel some misinformation and hysteria that seems to be building against this sport because of some really really stupid people.

I guess I may have. I've got nothing against the sport as well. My concern would be the sport suffering, and watching some idiot politician try to get paintball guns "banned" as a result, instead of putting the blame where it lies, the idiots misusing the equipment for what it was intended to be used for.

[LibertyGirl77]

No....the TEEN was the one who shot back with the REAL gun(apparently in self-defense). It was the 21-year-old who went on the little joyride with the paintball gun. What a weird story.

[pa_dweller]

Paint Ball Victim Declared Dead

A damn shame for sure. I presume this now means that if they ever find the perp idiot who did it, it's murder or manslaughter charges instead of a mere misdemeanor?

On the hopeful side, cases like this are often solved because someone who knows something can't keep their mouth shut or inadvertently blurts out a clue.

[pa_dweller]

...pranksters shot paintballs at pedestrians walking along the street...

Sounds to me like the paintball shooter was hit while in the vehicle. Details are scarce but, the distance between the two parties could have been as little as six feet assuming a traffic lane right at curbside.