SANDPOINT, Idaho (AP) — A northern Idaho teen has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault after police say he shot an Airsoft pellet gun at a Sandpoint city worker. The Bonner County Daily Bee reports the 17-year-old was arrested Tuesday after police responded to a report of gunshots.
Police Chief Corey Coon says the high school student was riding in a pickup with friends when they mistook the worker for a sports coach and fired the plastic [airsoft bb] pellets as a prank. The style of air gun that police say the teen used typically poses little safety risk but can leave welts at close range or cause eye damage.
Airsoft guns look like traditional weapons though they are sold with an orange tip intended to identify them as a pellet [airsoft] gun.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
1st grader at Avon East Elementary brings AirSoft model gun to school to 'shoot' mean classmate
Posted: 02/28/2013
By: Tina Kaufmann, newsnet5.com
AVON, Ohio - A first-grader at Avon East Elementary gets suspended for bringing an AirSoft model gun to school to shoot another student.
On Friday, the 6-year-old boy told the principal he brought the [airsoft] pellet gun to school to "shoot another student" because that student had threatened him with a knife.
Once school officials got in touch with parents, the boy's story began to change. The 6-year-old said he brought the fake [airsoft] gun to school because of an altercation at the bus stop between him and two other boys, hoping it would "scare" them.
The boy with the [airsoft] gun has been suspended for 10 days and expulsion has been recommended.
The other two boys admitted to the altercation, with one saying he did threaten to kill the 6-year-old.
The other students' guardians were contacted and said they would talk to their children about the incident.
Faculty members were alerted about the [airsoft] gun in the boy's backpack late in the day, something they said really concerns them. The other boys said they opened the 6-year-old's backpack at the bus stop not believing he had a [airsoft] gun.
Guardians of the other two boys were aware of the ongoing issues between their children, but not with the child who brought the mock .45 caliber compact [airsoft] weapon to school.
No charges were filed against any of the children. Mediation was recommended for two of the boys.
The 6-year-old was told if anything else like this happens again, he will be referred to Lorain County Juvenile Court.
By: Tina Kaufmann, newsnet5.com
AVON, Ohio - A first-grader at Avon East Elementary gets suspended for bringing an AirSoft model gun to school to shoot another student.
On Friday, the 6-year-old boy told the principal he brought the [airsoft] pellet gun to school to "shoot another student" because that student had threatened him with a knife.
Once school officials got in touch with parents, the boy's story began to change. The 6-year-old said he brought the fake [airsoft] gun to school because of an altercation at the bus stop between him and two other boys, hoping it would "scare" them.
The boy with the [airsoft] gun has been suspended for 10 days and expulsion has been recommended.
The other two boys admitted to the altercation, with one saying he did threaten to kill the 6-year-old.
The other students' guardians were contacted and said they would talk to their children about the incident.
Faculty members were alerted about the [airsoft] gun in the boy's backpack late in the day, something they said really concerns them. The other boys said they opened the 6-year-old's backpack at the bus stop not believing he had a [airsoft] gun.
Guardians of the other two boys were aware of the ongoing issues between their children, but not with the child who brought the mock .45 caliber compact [airsoft] weapon to school.
No charges were filed against any of the children. Mediation was recommended for two of the boys.
The 6-year-old was told if anything else like this happens again, he will be referred to Lorain County Juvenile Court.
Sandpoint teen arrested in Airsoft incident
Posted: Thursday, February 28, 2013 12:00 am | Updated: 1:40 am, Thu Feb 28, 2013.
By CAMERON RASMUSSON/Hagadone News NetworkThe Coeur d' Alene Press
SANDPOINT - A 17-year-old male was arrested Tuesday afternoon on felony charges after shooting an Airsoft gun at a city worker.
Sandpoint Police officers responded to the Spruce Street around 3 p.m. to investigate the possibility of gunshots, according to Police Chief Corey Coon. The unnamed high school student, riding by in the passenger seat of his friend's pickup truck, used an Airsoft gun to fire plastic [airsoft bb] pellets at a Sandpoint Public Works employee, Coon said.
Responding officers charged the Airsoft shooter with aggravated assault and took him to the juvenile detention facility, Coon said. The driver of the vehicle was not arrested but was instead referred to his probation officer assigned from a previous offense.
"The thing that kids often don't understand is how quickly a situation like this can turn tragic," Coon said.
That proved true for the city employee who found himself targeted by Airsoft fire. He had no association with the teenagers, and Coon said he experienced a moment of confusion and panic when he suddenly found himself being fired upon with what appeared to be a normal gun.
For their part, the teenagers weren't targeting the city employee randomly, nor did they intend any malice toward him. As they drove by and spotted him, they mistook him for a sports coach and decided to play a prank on him. The Airsoft-style gun they used typically poses little safety risk, but more powerful models can leave welts at close range or cause eye damage in the case of a particularly unfortunate shot.
Airsoft guns are required by federal law to be shipped and sold with an orange tip, but no such laws govern the actual ownership of the faux weapons. That means that many Airsoft guns could hypothetically be mistaken for a real weapon, and that could turn a prank into a more serious situation.
"Our officers receive training to distinguish between (Airsoft guns) and real guns, but oftentimes, the average citizen can't, and they might choose to respond with deadly force," Coon said.
By CAMERON RASMUSSON/Hagadone News NetworkThe Coeur d' Alene Press
SANDPOINT - A 17-year-old male was arrested Tuesday afternoon on felony charges after shooting an Airsoft gun at a city worker.
Sandpoint Police officers responded to the Spruce Street around 3 p.m. to investigate the possibility of gunshots, according to Police Chief Corey Coon. The unnamed high school student, riding by in the passenger seat of his friend's pickup truck, used an Airsoft gun to fire plastic [airsoft bb] pellets at a Sandpoint Public Works employee, Coon said.
Responding officers charged the Airsoft shooter with aggravated assault and took him to the juvenile detention facility, Coon said. The driver of the vehicle was not arrested but was instead referred to his probation officer assigned from a previous offense.
"The thing that kids often don't understand is how quickly a situation like this can turn tragic," Coon said.
That proved true for the city employee who found himself targeted by Airsoft fire. He had no association with the teenagers, and Coon said he experienced a moment of confusion and panic when he suddenly found himself being fired upon with what appeared to be a normal gun.
For their part, the teenagers weren't targeting the city employee randomly, nor did they intend any malice toward him. As they drove by and spotted him, they mistook him for a sports coach and decided to play a prank on him. The Airsoft-style gun they used typically poses little safety risk, but more powerful models can leave welts at close range or cause eye damage in the case of a particularly unfortunate shot.
Airsoft guns are required by federal law to be shipped and sold with an orange tip, but no such laws govern the actual ownership of the faux weapons. That means that many Airsoft guns could hypothetically be mistaken for a real weapon, and that could turn a prank into a more serious situation.
"Our officers receive training to distinguish between (Airsoft guns) and real guns, but oftentimes, the average citizen can't, and they might choose to respond with deadly force," Coon said.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Mom demands discipline after students shot with Airsoft gun
by Karen Grace / KENS 5
Bio | Email | Follow: @KENSKarenGrace
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Updated Wednesday, Feb 27 at 5:28 PM
A local mom says her 10-year-old girl received a death threat days before she was shot in the classroom with an Airsoft gun.
She discovered a letter the same day she received a phone call from Woodlake Elementary telling her that her daughter was shot with an Airsoft gun -- a weapon that looks like a real bullet-shooting gun but instead fires plastic [airsoft] pellets with a spring-lock device or compressed air.
According to school officials, the shooter got the [airsoft] gun from a boy in class and fired at two girls.
The mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said she fears the bullying will only get worse once the student is allowed back on campus.
"Shes been bullied by this girl quite a bit already," the mother said. "It's the same girl that wrote the letter and she shot my daughter, laughing, with the pellet [airsoft] gun," she said.
Steve Linscomb, a spokesman for the Judson Independent School District, said the shooter and the boy who brought the [airsoft] gun to class have been suspended for three days.
"This is something that we absolutely can't tolerate," he said.
A hearing before a judge has been scheduled for March 1 to determine if the students will be sent to alternative school.
"I just want to know, because my daughter is going to transfer out of this school," the mother said. "I'm not going to have my daughter here when she can't tell me if she can be safe."
Bio | Email | Follow: @KENSKarenGrace
Posted on February 27, 2013 at 4:32 PM
Updated Wednesday, Feb 27 at 5:28 PM
A local mom says her 10-year-old girl received a death threat days before she was shot in the classroom with an Airsoft gun.
She discovered a letter the same day she received a phone call from Woodlake Elementary telling her that her daughter was shot with an Airsoft gun -- a weapon that looks like a real bullet-shooting gun but instead fires plastic [airsoft] pellets with a spring-lock device or compressed air.
According to school officials, the shooter got the [airsoft] gun from a boy in class and fired at two girls.
The mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said she fears the bullying will only get worse once the student is allowed back on campus.
"Shes been bullied by this girl quite a bit already," the mother said. "It's the same girl that wrote the letter and she shot my daughter, laughing, with the pellet [airsoft] gun," she said.
Steve Linscomb, a spokesman for the Judson Independent School District, said the shooter and the boy who brought the [airsoft] gun to class have been suspended for three days.
"This is something that we absolutely can't tolerate," he said.
A hearing before a judge has been scheduled for March 1 to determine if the students will be sent to alternative school.
"I just want to know, because my daughter is going to transfer out of this school," the mother said. "I'm not going to have my daughter here when she can't tell me if she can be safe."
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Hydro Man Arrested For Shooting Airsoft Gun At Children
Posted: Feb 26, 2013 1:56 PM PST Updated: Feb 26, 2013 1:56 PM PST
By News9.com
HYDRO, Oklahoma -
A man in Hydro, Oklahoma, is in trouble for shooting an airsoft gun at children.
The kids told police Jeremy Whisman began chasing them and shooting at them [with an airsoft gun] while they were having a snowball fight.
Whisman told police the boys had attacked his girlfriend's son, and he was just trying to scare them off, not injure them.
Whisman has been arrested for assault and battery.
By News9.com
HYDRO, Oklahoma -
A man in Hydro, Oklahoma, is in trouble for shooting an airsoft gun at children.
The kids told police Jeremy Whisman began chasing them and shooting at them [with an airsoft gun] while they were having a snowball fight.
Whisman told police the boys had attacked his girlfriend's son, and he was just trying to scare them off, not injure them.
Whisman has been arrested for assault and battery.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Airsoft game at Budget Host draws authorities
By JOE SUTTER, lifestyle@messengernews.net , Messenger News
Police responded to an incident that turned out to be a "big misunderstanding" involving Airsoft guns Sunday night at the Budget Host hotel, according to Fort Dodge Police Lt. Joe Bates.
Multiple Fort Dodge police cars and the Webster County Sheriff Department responded to the hotel at about 6:30 p.m. Bates said some residents in the hotel rooms were playing a game of Airsoft war, and had ordered a pizza.
"When the pizza delivery person came to the door, the people inside thought it was other guys coming after them, so they had their airsoft guns pointed at the door, ready to ambush them," Bates said.
The delivery person didn't see the orange tips on the guns, and called the police, he said.
The players later apologized, and the police took away the Airsoft guns, Bates said. The delivery person declined to press charges.
--
I can’t believe their guns were confiscated. They were in their own rooms, they have the right to play as they want to in their room and it’s not illegal, why were the airsoft guns confiscated?
Police responded to an incident that turned out to be a "big misunderstanding" involving Airsoft guns Sunday night at the Budget Host hotel, according to Fort Dodge Police Lt. Joe Bates.
Multiple Fort Dodge police cars and the Webster County Sheriff Department responded to the hotel at about 6:30 p.m. Bates said some residents in the hotel rooms were playing a game of Airsoft war, and had ordered a pizza.
"When the pizza delivery person came to the door, the people inside thought it was other guys coming after them, so they had their airsoft guns pointed at the door, ready to ambush them," Bates said.
The delivery person didn't see the orange tips on the guns, and called the police, he said.
The players later apologized, and the police took away the Airsoft guns, Bates said. The delivery person declined to press charges.
--
I can’t believe their guns were confiscated. They were in their own rooms, they have the right to play as they want to in their room and it’s not illegal, why were the airsoft guns confiscated?
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Three men use Airsoft-type gun in attempted carjacking
Victim shot in nose after calling gun a "toy"
Three men confronted a man at his home in Stockton with an Airsoft-type gun and demanded the victim's car keys.
The 39-year-old male victim arrived at his home on the 600 block of West Rose Street in his vehicle when he was confronted by three men around 7:30 a.m. on Sunday.
One of them pointed an Airsoft-type gun at the victim and demanded that the man hand over his car keys.
The victim told the trio that the [airsoft] gun looked like a toy.
The man holding the [airsoft] gun shot the victim in the nose and all three ran off.
Police said that two of those who fled were described as black males armed with a black Airsoft or BB pistol.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Airsoft Guns Confiscated at Permian High School
Posted:
Feb 12, 2013 9:32 AM PSTUpdated:
Feb 12, 2013 6:16 PM PST
Monday, February 11, 2013
UPDATE: Big Island police locate missing Airsoft player
UPDATE: Big Island police have located a 20-year-old man who was reported missing on Sunday in the Ookala area.
Big Island police are asking for the public's help in locating a 20-year-old man who was reported missing.
Daysen Masuda was last seen Sunday in area of Ookala on the Big Island.
According to the Hawaii County Fire Department, a group of 40 Airsoft members were searching for a Masuda after their lunch break. They conducted several searches of the area with no luck prior to HFD and HPD arrival.
HPD, HFD, and group members searched the area until dark.
HFD continued the search for Masuda at first light Monday, utilizing Chopper-1.
Officials say the Airsoft game area is a 21-acre heavily forested area with ravines, and surrounded by large eucalyptus forests.
Masuda is described as 5-foot-6, 150-160 pounds with short "buzzed" hair. He was last seen wearing black long sleeve T-shirt and camo pants.
Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts call the Police Department's non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Richard Miyamoto at 808-889-6540.
Detective Miyamoto may also be reached by email at rmiyamoto@co.hawaii.hi.us.
Big Island police are asking for the public's help in locating a 20-year-old man who was reported missing.
Daysen Masuda was last seen Sunday in area of Ookala on the Big Island.
According to the Hawaii County Fire Department, a group of 40 Airsoft members were searching for a Masuda after their lunch break. They conducted several searches of the area with no luck prior to HFD and HPD arrival.
HPD, HFD, and group members searched the area until dark.
HFD continued the search for Masuda at first light Monday, utilizing Chopper-1.
Officials say the Airsoft game area is a 21-acre heavily forested area with ravines, and surrounded by large eucalyptus forests.
Masuda is described as 5-foot-6, 150-160 pounds with short "buzzed" hair. He was last seen wearing black long sleeve T-shirt and camo pants.
Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts call the Police Department's non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Richard Miyamoto at 808-889-6540.
Detective Miyamoto may also be reached by email at rmiyamoto@co.hawaii.hi.us.
UPDATE: Missing Airsoft Player Found Injured in Ravine
by Dave Smith
***Updated at 12:10 p.m.***
A man who went missing Sunday while taking part in a simulated combat game on the Hamakua coast has been located.
Capt. Richard Miyamoto of Hamakua Police said Hawaii Fire Department rescuers located Daysen Masuda in a ravine this morning.
Masuda had sustained a leg injury, Miyamoto said.
Posted at 9:04 a.m.:
A day of play warfare near O`okala turned serious Sunday when one of the participants in an Airsoft competition went missing.
A spokesman for the Laupahoehoe Fire Station said a group of 40 participants began searching for a 20-year-old member after he turned up missing after a lunch break.
The man was identified by police as Daysen Masuda, who weighs about 155 pounds and has "buzzed" hair. He was last seen wearing a black long-sleeve t-shirt and camouflauge pants.
After searching without success, the group called for help from the police and fire departments shortly before 5 p.m.
A total of 17 members of those departments and group members continued their search until dark. It was to resume at first light today with the assistance of the fire department’s Chopper 1.
Airsoft involves the use of replica [airsoft] guns firing round plastic [airsoft BB] pellets.
The station spokesman said the game area near the intersection of Ka`ala Road and Niupea Homestead Road was a 21-acre, heavily forested area with ravines and surrounded by tall eucalyptus trees.
Anyone with information on Masuda’s whereabouts is asked to call the police department at 935-3311.
***Updated at 12:10 p.m.***
A man who went missing Sunday while taking part in a simulated combat game on the Hamakua coast has been located.
Capt. Richard Miyamoto of Hamakua Police said Hawaii Fire Department rescuers located Daysen Masuda in a ravine this morning.
Masuda had sustained a leg injury, Miyamoto said.
Posted at 9:04 a.m.:
A day of play warfare near O`okala turned serious Sunday when one of the participants in an Airsoft competition went missing.
A spokesman for the Laupahoehoe Fire Station said a group of 40 participants began searching for a 20-year-old member after he turned up missing after a lunch break.
The man was identified by police as Daysen Masuda, who weighs about 155 pounds and has "buzzed" hair. He was last seen wearing a black long-sleeve t-shirt and camouflauge pants.
After searching without success, the group called for help from the police and fire departments shortly before 5 p.m.
A total of 17 members of those departments and group members continued their search until dark. It was to resume at first light today with the assistance of the fire department’s Chopper 1.
Airsoft pellets. Wikipedia photo.
Airsoft involves the use of replica [airsoft] guns firing round plastic [airsoft BB] pellets.
The station spokesman said the game area near the intersection of Ka`ala Road and Niupea Homestead Road was a 21-acre, heavily forested area with ravines and surrounded by tall eucalyptus trees.
Anyone with information on Masuda’s whereabouts is asked to call the police department at 935-3311.
Friday, February 08, 2013
Teen accused of bringing Airsoft gun to school faces felony charge
A 17-year-old accused of bringing an Airsoft gun to school faces a felony charge.
According to investigators, Daejawntae M. Goings was detained by police after a teacher saw what looked like a gun with the student on Wednesday.
Goings did not point the [airsoft] weapon at anyone, and no one was hurt, according to police.
The school was evacuated as a precaution.
Goings was booked on charges of terroristic threats and disturbing the peace.
Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov said Goings also faces a felony charge of tampering with physical evidence. That charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.
Last year, Goings was charged with assault, disturbing the peace and obstructing an officer.
Another teen was charged with terroristic threats and disturbing the peace in a separate incident. Authorities said Brandon Kloberdance, 17, threatened students and staff Thursday.
Polikov is looking to see whether there's a link between the incidents.
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Air Soft Pistol Leads to School Evacuation
UPDATE: The juvenile male was arrested for Terroristic Threats and Disturbing the Peace and was transported to a juvenile detention facility.
BELLEVUE, Neb. (KPTM) – Students were ordered to evacuate campus when police arrived to investigate whether a student had a gun.
Turns out it was an Air Soft pistol that caused the brief chaos at Bellevue East High School Wednesday.
A teacher saw the 17-year-old male pull the [airsoft] weapon out of his backpack. The student did not point the [airsoft] weapon at anyone. Police said no one was hurt.
The student is in the dean's office. All students were allowed to return to their extracurricular activities shortly after 5.
Police are investigating why the student brought the [airsoft] weapon to school.
Information Parents Should Know About Airsoft Guns
Part of the reason for Wednesday's panic is that the teenager's airsoft gun looked an awful lot like the real thing.
Captain David Stukenholtz is with the Bellevue Police Department. He placed his gun next to the airsoft gun that a 16-year-old Bellevue East High School student brought to school. They looked almost identical.
"If you see that, you're just going to think that that's a real weapon," Captain Stukenholtz said.
Especially because the airsoft gun was missing one key piece.
"This is considered a toy," Jeff Childers with Canfield's said. "That's why they have orange tips on them all."
Toys that are very popular among 12 to 14 year olds. Childers explained why. "You'll have different teams and you dress up in different colors and stuff, point systems, and areas that are designated for airsoft games," Childers said.
An airsoft gun shoots small, plastic balls. "We recommend eye protection and face protection," Childers said. "However, like I said, they aren't enough to break the skin."
Not enough to harm, but enough to frighten students and parents. "They (airsoft guns) look so realistic that taking it to school with all the stuff that's been going on with guns, its just a really, really bad choice," Childers said.
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