‘Paintball Gun War' Has to Stop Before Serious Injuries: Police

New Haven police have received a dozen reports of gun violence in the last week alone and have determined that people embroiled in turf or gang conflicts are using fake weapons that appear to be real, and causing panic and significant injuries. 

Police are calling it a “paintball gun war” and they are trying to stop it before it escalates to retaliation with a real weapon or someone who mistakes a fake gun for a real one kills someone. 

The victims include a 10-year-old girl who was shot in the head with a BB in Newhallville last night and a person who was shot this morning with a BB gun in Fair Haven. 

Days ago, police received a frantic call from a woman who thought groups were shooting each other with “assault weapons” or “A K-47s.” When police took the guns from the teens, they determined that the weapons were air guns, but they looked real. 

Police have made some arrests, but they are working on identifying others who are involved. 

This investigation comes after police noticed a rise in gun complaints in which the assailants used paint-ball guns, facsimile guns and BB guns. 

Detectives with the Criminal Intelligence Division have determined that most of the calls involved groups from several New Haven areas who are embroiled in turf or gang conflicts, according to police. 

“These groups are targeting rivals in neighborhoods, such as the Hill and Newhallville,” Intel Division supervisor Karl Jacobson said in a statement. “This has got to stop before someone is seriously hurt or worse.” 

Police said they fear retaliation and said targeted groups have made threats with real weapons, and carried some of them out. 

Local police have also consulted state prosecutors on appropriate charges for those caught with paint-ball guns, facsimile firearms and BB-guns. 

“We’re trying to avert a tragedy,” Assistant Chief Achilles “Archie” Generoso said. “The effort to stop this is a top priority for our department.” 

As they investigate, police are urging parents to pay close attention to their teenagers’ activity, especially if you know they are involved in these types of rivalries. 

Police are also asking anyone with information to report criminal activity when you see it by calling police at 203-946-6316 or 911. If you’d like to speak with detectives, call 203-0946-6304.

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