California Octogenarian Arrested for Serial Slingshot Attacks
Police in Southern California have apprehended an octogenarian man, Prince King, described as a “serial slingshot shooter” suspected of terrorising his neighbourhood for nearly ten years.
Incident Details
- King was finally held when Azusa police were called to the 900 block of North Enid Avenue regarding a “quality of life issue.”
- Over the past nine to ten years, many residents reported incidents involving a slingshot that took place in the neighbourhood.
- Reports suggested that he resorted to smashing windows and damaging windshields of residents, sometimes coming very close to hitting pedestrians.
Police Investigation
Lieutenant Jake Bushey of the Azusa police stated that initial slingshot incidents had been under investigation for years, but identifying a suspect proved challenging. Detectives eventually traced most of the ball bearings to King’s backyard or a nearby area.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Upon executing a search warrant at King’s residence, police discovered a slingshot and ball bearings, which led to his arrest. His home in Azusa is approximately 25 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. King is currently held without bail at the county’s men’s central jail.
Reports indicated that he is charged with a felony crime. The motive for the slingshot attacks remains unclear.
Community Response
Bushey mentioned that the attacks weren’t random, but the reason behind targeting specific people or properties remains unclear. Some residents mentioned their car windows had been shot out but couldn’t definitively link King to these incidents.
Court Appearance
The court appearance of the 81-year-old is set for Tuesday (May 28), marking progress in the legal course of the decade-long mystery of slingshot attacks that plagued the Azusa neighborhood.
