Three Injured, Two Charged in Paint Ball Shootings

Three people were injured Monday afternoon after two people allegedly went on a paint ball gun shooting spree in southern Hamden.

At about 4 p.m. Monday Hamden Police got a report of an assault in the area of Jones Road, according to police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith. 

When officer arrived, they found Hamden Fire Rescue treating a 16 year-old New Haven girl who had suffered facial injuries after getting shot in the face with a paintball gun.

She told police that while she was walking on First Street, a car approached her and as it drove by a person emerged from the sunroof and began firing the paintball gun at her, Smith said. She suffered injuries to her face and mouth.

Moments later, officers received additional information with regards to another paintball shooting, Smith said.

"A 15 year-old Hamden resident and her 18 year-old friend were walking on Second Street, where they were both shot," Smith said. "She was shot in the neck and shoulder, while her friend was shot in the mouth."

The injuries to the three victims were not life-threatening, Smith said.

Not long after that, Officer Michael Nawrocki saw the car involved in the incident, occupied and parked on Second Street, Smith said. He, along with Officers Mark Sheppard and Robert O’Neill arrested two of the occupants and found two paintball guns and a bag of paint balls inside of the vehicle.

Avery Deboise, 18, of 1377 Ella Grasso Boulevard, New Haven, was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, conspiracy to commit second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree assault, conspiracy to commit third-degree assault and breach of peace.

He posted $1,500 bond and is scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Dec. 4.

 Also charged was a 17 year-old North Haven resident. He too was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, conspiracy to commit second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree assault, conspiracy to commit third-degree assault and breach of peace.

He was released to the custody of a family member and is scheduled to appear in Juvenile Court in New Haven on Dec. 4.