RCMP catch teens shooting paintballs at pedestrians

PRINCE GEORGE – Recent police interactions with young drivers have Prince George RCMP issuing a reminder about making safe choices behind the wheel.

On Monday, August 1, 2022, shortly after 1:00 a.m., Frontline police officers received a report of a vehicle driving around the area of 2 Avenue and George Street, where the occupants were allegedly shooting paintballs at pedestrians. Police officers flooded the area and located the suspect vehicle. The six occupants, all of whom were between the ages of 17 and 20, were arrested by police, and paintball guns were located inside the vehicle. The suspects were released pending the results of the investigation.

The next evening, on Tuesday, August 2 at 1:30 a.m., Frontline police officers attempted a traffic stop with a vehicle, which fled from police. A short time later police re-acquired the vehicle on Ospika Boulevard, where it had crashed. Three of the four occupants, all between the ages of 15 and 17, were located outside of the car. Police officers found the unlicensed youth driver at his home later that evening. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in the incident. Police officers issued a violation ticket to the youth driver, totaling over $700 in fines.

Prince George RCMP is urging young drivers to make safe choices when in a vehicle, either as the driver or the passenger. Driving should be regarded as a privilege, as it comes with many inherent risks, states Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, Media Relations Officer for the Prince George RCMP.