Four people in a vehicle from which someone allegedly fired a pellet gun in Pacific Beach Friday were taken into custody a short time later during a traffic stop.
The shootings, at pedestrians near the 4300 block of Mission Boulevard, reportedly were carried out by someone in black BMW shortly after noon, according to the San Diego Police Department.
There were no immediate reports of injuries, SDPD Officer David O’Brien said.
About five minutes later, officers near Crystal Pier pulled over a vehicle matching the description of the one involved in the alleged crime. They detained the driver and three passengers, but did not release their identities or details on what charges they might face, if any.
The shootings were believed to have been carried out with an airsoft-style gun, O’Brien said.
Other drive-by pellet-gun shootings have taken place in San Diego-area beach neighborhoods in recent weeks, according to messages on social media websites.
The victims who’ve identified themselves online – some of whom wrote of being struck by hard-plastic projectiles discharged by an occupant of a black BMW – have speculated that the crimes may have been inspired by a TikTok challenge.
The postings have been linked to a rash of such shootings nationwide, including incidents in San Luis Obispo and Hawaii. A Florida sheriff’s department released video of multiple such cases.
– City News Service
