Teens Shoot Paintball Guns At People, Homes, Across Riverhead: PD

RIVERHEAD, NY — At least one person was injured as a group of teens shot paintball guns in Riverhead Thursday night, police said.

According to Riverhead Town Police, multiple calls came in between 5:45 p.m. and 6 p.m. regarding teens shooting paintball guns on Oakland Drive North near Doctors Path, on Riverside Drive, and on Old Country Road, near New York State Route 25 and East Main Street in Riverhead.

The paintball shots were aimed at homes — and at a group of juveniles who were riding their bicycles, police said. Numerous bicycle riders were struck with paintballs, including one male juvenile, who sustained a direct paintball hit to his eye, police said. His eye was significantly injured; he was taken to Peconic Bay Medical Center by the Riverhead Town Volunteer Ambulance Corps for treatment, police said.

Also, on Wednesday at 11:58 p.m., police were called about paintballs being shot at vehicles and a residence in the Deer Run area of Wading River — and then, on Thursday at 9:48 a.m,. a similar report came in about paintballs being shot at a residence in the Rabbit Run area of Riverhead, police said.

The suspects in each reported incident were described as four to five Black males in their late teens, police said. During the Riverhead incident, theywere in a black Honda sedan, possibly a Civic or Accord with an unknown registration, police said. A white Honda sedan, with an unknown model or registration, was used in the Wading River incident, police said.

The Riverhead Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying the teens involved and asked anyone with information to call 631-727-4500. All calls will be kept confidential.