The Advantage Of KnowingHow The Other Side Thinks

Photo of Nichole Dusché

The Advantage Of KnowingHow The Other Side Thinks

Photo of Nichole Dusché

Paintball fights trigger dozens of warrants, multiple arrests

On Behalf of | Jun 8, 2020 | Misdemeanors |

Young people across Tennessee are seeking out various ways to entertain themselves in light of social distancing guidelines and school closures. However, some of their solutions are turning out to have some unfortunate consequences.

Recently, young people across the state have been engaging in paintball fighting. And despite their voluntary participation and permission from neighbors, the groups are now facing arrest and misdemeanor charges.

Not all fun and games

According to reports, multiple groups of kids have been playing paintball in neighborhoods around Tennessee. In many cases, the groups notified their neighbors, confined their gameplay to the hours of 5 and 10 p.m., and some even committed to cleaning up any damage they might cause.

However, not all the neighbors have been okay with the activity, particularly when it damages their homes, vehicles and other property. And other people who are not involved in the games have been targeted by some players.

As a result, police are working to identify those involved in the paintball fights, stating that recklessly using a paintball gun in public instills fear or panic in the general populace.

So far, police have secured a whopping 62 arrest warrants and arrested four people. Those involved could face two misdemeanors, including reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. However, many people stated that they did not want to press charges.

Important takeaways for parents

It can be very upsetting to have the police show up to your house and arrest your child. Parents can be angry and scared about what happens next, especially if they are not sure a child has done anything wrong.

In these situations, getting answers and information on the legal process as soon as possible can be crucial. Talking to an attorney can help parents assess their options and take steps to protect their children from harsh, unnecessary criminal charges and penalties.