New Haven Police Warn of 'Paintball War' and Facsimile Guns on the Streets

NEW HAVEN, CT — New Haven police officers have responded to several recent reports of "shootings, gunfire incidents and gun possession calls" involving paintball guns, facsimile firearms and BB guns, and they are warning residents to avoid such potentially dangerous situations.

The use of such fake guns can result in "tragic outcomes" because responding police officers can’t quickly determine if the gun displayed is real or not.

"We’re trying to avert a tragedy," said Assistant Chief Achilles "Archie" Generoso in a statement. "The effort to stop this is a top priority for our department."

The concern was raised after investigators noticed a rise in gun complaints where the perpetrators were found to have used painball, facsimile and BB guns. In all of the studied cases, the 911 callers feared the guns were real, according to police, who said there have been about a dozen such calls to the department this week.

Several recent incidents with fake guns have resulted in significant injuries to the victims, including a 10-year old girl who was shot in the head in Newhallville this week by a BB gun. Early today, Sept. 30, another such BB shooting was reported in Fair Haven. Police are searching for the assailants.

Detectives from the department’s Criminal Intelligence Division have concluded that most of the calls involved groups from several New Haven areas who are embroiled in turf or gang conflicts.

"These groups are targeting rivals in neighborhoods such as the Hill and Newhallville," said Intel Division supervisor Karl Jacobson in a statement. "This has got to stop before someone is seriously hurt or worse."

There are several added concerns. The first is retaliation: Police have heard that targeted groups have made and carried out threats to retaliate with real weapons.

The race is on to find those involved and punish them for the lesser offenses before lethal weapons become involved. Other concerns are "armed robberies" and property-crimes.

"We do not want to respond to any shooting, but the tragic shooting of a young man, armed with a fake gun, by someone defending themselves against a misconceived threat of deadly force is a particularly disturbing thought," said police.

The department is working hard to identify those involved, and state Prosecutors have been consulted to factor in appropriate charges for those caught with paintball guns, facsimile firearms and BB guns.

"Days ago, a woman frantically called [New Haven] police to report a gunfight between groups using 'Assault weapons… AK-47s,' which turned out to be paintball guns that closely resembled genuine assault weapons.

The guns were confiscated from the teens involved and arrests were made. (Police added, "It is important to know, that in this case, the compressed air cartridge attached to the gun is tucked under and behind the arm of the person wielding the paintball gun when it is positioned for firing.")

"Other such incidents have prompted police to engage in dangerous pursuits and in one, a dramatic situation where officers used great restraint when aiming their weapons at an 'armed teenager,' despite an angry crowd that encircled the officer’s patrol car once it was learned the gun wasn’t real."

Officials added, "The NHPD is asking for the public’s help. If you are a parent, pay close attention to your teenager’s activity – particularly if you know they are involved in such rivalries. Report such criminal activity if you see it by phoning police at 203-946- 6316 or 911."

Photo: Paintball guns recently seized by New Haven police. Photo credit: New Haven Police Department