RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - A man riding his bike on Seminary Avenue was popped in the face with a paintball at close range Friday.
Most everyone in this Northside neighborhood had the same reaction: "It’s deeply concerning. We've had nothing close to that in the years I've been here," said Paul Coakley.
But Friday afternoon’s serenity was pierced by the popping sound of a paintball gun and a man falling off his bike after he was hit in the eye.
"One of the things I love about this neighborhood is people get out and walk and stroll with their kids in strollers,” said neighbor Richard Wells.” “And to think that someone is driving by and picking people off is frightening."
Richmond police say on top of the bicyclist’s injury, a woman passing by was also nicked by a paintball. Police are looking for a triggerman that leaned out of a moving box-like white car, opening fire.
Neighbors are stunned it happened here. "Clearly if you're in this neighborhood, you don't expect that there's dangerous people milling around looking for trouble," said Wells.
Police are looking for multiple suspects in that white box-like car. According to police the victim required stitches to his eye, but they don't believe there will be permanent damage.
If you saw anything suspicious Friday afternoon around 5:30 on Seminary Avenue, call Crimestoppers at 780-1000.
