Police investigate ‘drive-by’ paintball assaults in Kona

A man is facing assault charges after reportedly shooting paintballs at random people on Alii Drive in Kailua-Kona early Sept. 22.

At 12:38 p.m. Sept. 22, Kona Patrol officers were assigned to a report of two unidentified males in a dark colored truck shooting paintballs at people walking.

Officers contacted two separate victims with visible injuries consistent to that of being shot by a paintball. The suspect vehicle was located and the two male occupants were subsequently arrested.

Police arrested and charged 18-year old Cyan Batha, of Waimea, for two counts of third-degree assault. The driver of the vehicle, a 27-year-old Kailua-Kona man, was also arrested, but was released pending further investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or who may have witnessed it should contact Sgt. Erich Jackson at (808) 326-4646, ext. 253; or via email at Erich.Jackson@Hawaiicounty.gov.