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Red Deer residents are fearful after vehicles sustain air gun damage

Morrisroe man is concerned about potential injuries
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Jeff Langrille points out the damage caused by an air gun or pellet gun to his daughter’s vehicle. (Photo by LANA MICHELIN/Advocate staff).

A Red Deer family fears for the safety of children on their street after several cars were damaged by pellets from an air gun or BB gun.

Jeff Langille said he and his daughter were notified by a neighbour on Monday morning about damage that had been caused to their three vehicles. The cars had been left parked on a quiet close in Morrisroe, near a school.

Pock-marks left in their driver’s-side doors late on Sunday will be expensive to fix, said Langille. But he’s more concerned about the safety risk such an incident could pose to children.

The street is full of small kids, said Langille. If any youngsters had been hit by pellets or BBs, he fears they could have been injured, or even maimed.

Langille’s daughter, Katherine, who has a toddler son and is pregnant with twins, is also worried about pellet or air guns being fired in front of her home.

“This is a family neighbourhood,” said Katherine, who feels the incident goes beyond “mischief” into more serious territory.

Under Red Deer’s bylaw, no weapon that fires a projectile capable of causing bodily injury or death can be discharged within city limits. This includes air guns, air rifles, BB guns, sling shots, all types of archery equipment, and gas-powered guns. (The only exceptions are for peace officers or others who are authorized to use firearms to carry out their lawful occupations.)

Corp. Mike Hibbs, media relations officer with RCMP K. Division, said any firearms-related crime is taken very seriously by police — including this incident, which is under investigation.

While air guns are not generally lethal, Hibbs noted they are treated as any other firearm when used to carry out an armed robbery or to enforce a threat. “Pointing or firing a firearm is still an offence.”

Depending on the cost of the vehicle damage in Morrisroe, charges of damage to property over or under $5,000 could be filed against the perpetrator, said Hibbs.

Anyone with video surveillance footage, or other information about this incident is asked to contact the local police detachment.



lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com

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