3 teens arrested after “random and unprovoked” Temecula SplatRball attacks that targeted multiple victims
TEMECULA, Calif., — Authorities say a series of attacks that targeted multiple victims over two days led to the arrest of three teens, who were found to be in possession of an ORBEEZ SplatRball fully automatic water bead blaster.
SplatRball guns are capable of discharging 11 gel ball bead rounds per second and can cause “significant or life-altering injury” when not used properly or without appropriate facial and eye protection, according to officials.
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Deputies from the Southwest Sheriff’s Station began investigating the attacks around 8 p.m. on Friday, March 4, after a woman was struck five times by an unknown projectile outside a business in the 29000 block of Rancho California, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Michael Perez reported after the arrests.
The investigation revealed that while the victim was in the parking lot of the business, a black hatchback pulled up next to her and a passenger fired several shots from an airsoft type gun in her direction, causing minor injuries.
Three juveniles were arrested after a series of “random and unprovoked” attacks that targeted multiple victims Friday evening and Saturday morning. “Not only is this incredibly dangerous, it is felonious behavior,” officials explained. Riverside County Sheriff’s Department photo
At around 11:30 a.m. the next morning, deputies responded to the Harveston Lake Community in Temecula after receiving reports of three additional adult victims struck several times by unknown projectiles, according to Perez, who said, “The additional victims also sustained minor injuries.”
During a subsequent search of the area, deputies spotted a black Toyota Yaris hatchback occupied by three juveniles within the Harveston Lake Community and conducted a traffic enforcement stop on the vehicle.
“As a result of the traffic stop, deputies located a SplatRball gun in the vehicle and determined the three juveniles were responsible for shooting the four victims,” Perez explained, calling the shootings “random and unprovoked”.
Based on their investigation, deputies arrested the three juveniles, ages 16 and 17, and they were booked into Riverside County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit a crime, and negligent discharge of a BB/ pellet gun.
“The safety of the community is our number one priority, and we encourage parents to speak with their children about the potential dangers of SplatRball guns if not used with the proper safety equipment,” Perez went on to say.
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Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact Deputy Lucas or Deputy Hernandez at the Southwest Sheriff Station at (951) 696-3000 or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch at (951) 776-1099. Callers can refer to incident file number TE220630161 and can remain anonymous.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
Trevor Montgomery, 51, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and operates Riverside County News Source (RCNS) and Shasta County News Source (SCNS), which act as stringer-news providers for other mainstream media organizations throughout the two regions they serve.
Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; the Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County; and Mountain Echo in Shasta County. He is also a regular contributor to Thin Blue Line TV and Law Enforcement News Network and has had his stories featured on news stations throughout the Southern California and North State regions.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.