Man Shot Paintballs At High School Students: Middletown Police

MIDDLETOWN, CT — A Middletown man was arrested after police say he shot paintballs at several high school students at a Dunkin’ Donuts last Thursday morning. Thirteen members of the Xavier High School hockey team went to Dunkin’ Donuts, 648 South Main St., around 7:30 a.m. for breakfast on Oct. 24. The boys, all juveniles, were sitting in several areas around the restaurant when a man, later identified as Kenneth Hofler, walked in, according to police.

Hofler, who was wearing a bright red sweatshirt and a neck pillow, ordered food and sat at a table where he started counting money. After he was done counting, he pointed at the boys who were sitting nearby and said, “Would you guys get mad if I shot you with a paintball gun?” according to the police report.

The students said they would and the conversation ended. Hofler, 23, then stood up and went outside toward a parked car and the teens told police they saw him grab a paintball gun from the trunk and walk back toward the entrance of Dunkin’ Donuts.

The teens realized that Hofler was coming back inside the restaurant with a paintball gun and several of them began to run out the side exit. Hofler then took several steps back outside and positioned himself in front Dunkin’ Donuts, according to police.

Hofler was seen on security cameras aiming in the direction of the teens, who were running toward their vehicles in the parking lot, and firing several paintballs at them. Hofler shot at the teens for several seconds and then slowly walked back to his car, according to police.

None of the teens, who used vehicles as cover, were struck directly by the paintballs and no injuries were reported, police said. Three of the victim’s vehicles were struck by paintballs.

Hofler, who is known to police, left and was later contacted by police and told to come down to headquarters.

Hofler, of Ferry Street in Middletown, was arrested on charges of risk of injury to child, criminal attempt to commit second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, use of firearm, second-degree breach of peace and three counts of third-degree criminal mischief. He was released after posting a $35,000 bond with a court date of Nov. 1, according to state judicial records.