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Gel Blaster And Air Soft Drive By Shootings Are A Criminal Offence

Thursday, May 16, 2024 at 8:17 AM

By Jay Herrington

Campbell River RCMP say shootings of water gel blasters or airsoft guns, like the one shown here, recently recovered, are a criminal offence. (PHOTO Campbell River RCMP)

RCMP in Campbell River say they are seeing an uptick in young people in vehicles shooting water gel blasters or airsoft guns at pedestrians in the community.

Police say that while it may seem like a harmless prank to some; or all in good fun, it is a criminal offence.

The driver of the vehicle and the shooter of the blaster or air soft gun could both be considered committing Assault with a Weapon.

In recent weeks, RCMP have responded to individuals who have been struck in the face and neck.

In one instance, only a pair of sunglasses prevented the victim from being hit in the eye.

Constable Maury Tyre says realistically, the young people carrying out these shootings think they are just having a bit of fun.

But he says there is a very real chance of injury even with the water pellets or plastic bb pellets that the guns shoot.

He says if someone gets hurt, police will address the situation accordingly.

A release notes  that sanctions under the Criminal Code could see the driver of the vehicle face a licence suspension.

The Campbell River RCMP are asking that anyone with information regarding these recent offences contact the local detachment at 250-286-6221.

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The word "éy7á7juuthem" means “Language of our People” and is the ancestral tongue of the Homalco, Tla’amin, Klahoose and K’ómoks First Nations, with dialectic differences in each community.

It is pronounced "eye-ya-jooth-hem."