BB gun attacks in neighborhood investigated

FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas – A Fort Bend County neighborhood is being terrorized by men with pellet guns.

Word spread on social media starting Saturday about numerous people either shot or shot at by youths with air rifles.

Peaceful Sienna Plantation has become a place of fear and frustration following a whole series of shootings involving a group of teenagers firing at innocent people with some kind of air propelled gun, possibly a BB gun or a pellet gun.

"It's why I'm wearing safety glasses. I'm not going to let fear stop me from walking with my dogs at night," resident Deborah Crain said.

According to the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office, the shootings started last week and to date at least six people have been fired upon.

At least two of those people, including a 12-year-old boy, were hit, but not seriously injured.

In each case the shootings took place inside Sienna Plantation at places like the intersection of Scanlan Trace and Tahoe Basin.

List of the six incidents:

  • Aug. 19: A male victim was riding a bicycle and was struck by a BB or pellet in the leg.
  • Aug. 22: Perpetrators threatened a young male victim with the gun, and shot three times in the air.
  • Aug. 23: A man was shot in the shoulder while walking his dog.
  • Aug. 27: A female victim was walking on a trail when she was approached and threatened her with a gun.
  • Aug. 27: In the afternoon, a boy was threatened while riding his bike.
  • Aug. 27: In the evening hours, a 12-year-old was shot with a BB gun on the left side of his body.

In all cases, the suspect vehicle was described as a black sedan.

"I don't know why these kids, why they have access to these BB guns first of all. I don't understand it. They should not be let loose with a BB gun on the street. I can't believe that," Ioan Igna said.

Igna said similar shootings happened about three months ago in the same area. He and his neighbors were hearing stories of a group of teenagers randomly driving up to people and shooting at them.

At this point, there have been no arrests in the latest series of shootings.

A cash reward of up to $5,000 is being offered by Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers for information that leads to arrests.

"When residents are taking a walk or riding their bicycles, it is important for them to be on the lookout for these culprits," Sheriff Troy Nehls said. "This maybe BB guns, but under the law, these people face an aggravated assault charge. We need the community’s help in identifying them. Get a license plate, a vehicle description, whatever it takes. We want to get these thugs off the streets." 


About the Author:

Emmy-winning investigative reporter, insanely competitive tennis player, skier, weightlifter, crazy rock & roll drummer (John Bonham is my hero). Husband to Veronica and loving cat father to Bella and Meemo.