An old-timer dubbed a “Serial Slingshot Shooter” was finally caught by the police after a decade of raining ball bearings on neighbors.
In a recent press release, the Azusa Police Department announced the arrest of 81-year-old Prince Raymond King, labeling him a “serial slingshot shooter.” Police reported that King used ball bearings and a slingshot to damage property and nearly hit people in his neighborhood for approximately ten years.
“DEU conducted a lengthy investigation and learned that during the course of 9-10 years, dozens of citizens were being victimized by a serial slingshot shooter,” the release explained. Police also pointed out that King “broke windows, windshields and almost stuck people with ball bearings.”
Footage of the vandalized area, captured by local outlet ABC 7, revealed windows with varying degrees of damage. Some had small BB gun pellet-sized holes, while others were completely shattered.
Despite a decade of vandalism, no injuries were ever reported.
Detectives Were Hot on the Trail of the ‘Serial Slingshot Shooter’ Since the First Ball Bearing Took Flight
Law enforcement officials have reportedly been investigating the serial slingshot shooter since his initial attack. However, they only now have they been able to identify him. After a decade of property damage caused by slingshots, the department executed a search warrant in King’s neighborhood earlier this month.
During a search of King’s home, investigators discovered an unspecified quantity of ball bearings and a slingshot. Several hours later, King was arrested and booked into jail. He is currently being held without bail at Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.
Local citizens are elated the serial slingshot shooter is now behind bars. Comments flooded both the Police Department’s press release on Facebook and ABC 7‘s YouTube post of the story.
“They broke the back window of my husband’s car, probably the same guy. His dirty hobby cost us $700,” one irate citizen wrote on Facebook. “How sad so many people were victimized by this one person. Good job bringing him in before he took out someone’s eye!”, another Facebook comment read.
Other denizens of the internet noted that at 81 years old, even a light sentence could mean King would be behind bars for life. “If he is 81 a few years behind bars might be a life sentence,” read one comment.
Meanwhile, some citizens seemed to be scratching their chins at how the police’s investigation could have possibly taken ten years. “Detectives should be embarrassed!”, one YouTube comment read.